Freddie Neville Vázquez

Freddie Neville Vázquez, Sr. was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on September 13th, 1940. He would tell you, though, that his life truly began the day he met his wife, Irma Elena Torres-Vázquez in 1955. She was by his side when he made his way to heaven on February 15th, 2025.

His dad, Pedro, was a sports radio commentator in the 1940’s. His dad put him to work. He and his brothers were given the task to listen to a game, and report to him a play-by-play so he could use it on his broadcast. This is how Freddie fell in love with baseball.

As a Puerto Rican, he was loud, fun, and festive. His sisters and nieces would ask him to dance the merengue or the salsa at family parties. And he would. They would not have to ask twice. That was his true passion. That’s what made his heart beat. His family.

He would tell any stranger about the love he had for his wife, and how even though they met when they were in high school, his love for her grew stronger every day. He would tell the grocer “We’ve been married for 63 years, and I love her now more than I did at 18. Can you believe that?” He was so proud of their love.

He studied business management at Cornell University and University of Puerto Rico, followed by a great career in the steamship marketing industry in Puerto Rico and Illinois. He did his job well, and it paid the bills, but the love he had for his family was what captivated him.

Freddie is survived by his wife Irma and their children: Irma (Geoff) Howley, Freddie (Jodi) Vázquez, and Soraya Teeling; his grandchildren: Macallister Howley, Mason Howley, Brynn Teeling, and Elena Teeling; his siblings: Edna Everidis Vázquez, Ednydia (Antonio Gomez) Vázquez and Waldo (Carmen Nevares) Vázquez; and countless nieces and nephews, many who considered him a father.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Pedro and Genoveva Vázquez; in-laws: Felix and Juana Torres, son-in-law: Roger Teeling; siblings: Irma Nydia Vázquez and Pedro Vázquez Jr.

A mass and celebration of Freddie's life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1pm at The Lodge of Shannondale. A graveside service will follow at 3pm at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Boys Town.