OBITUARY
David Robert Velez
December 12, 1975 – December 21, 2020
David Robert Velez, 45, passed away on December 21, 2020 and is survived by his wife and soulmate of 11 years Kristen (Gemino) Velez and the love of his life, his son, Noah. David will be greatly missed by his father, Freddy Velez; his mother Lourdes Hipper; his sister Andrea Delgado; his brothers Anthony and Robert Velez; his parents-in-law Gary and Bonnie Gemino; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Alison and Joseph Wendling. He was loved by countless aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. The Velez family extends a special heartfelt thank you to Titi Mary, Uncle Manny, and cousins Adrian and Anthony for all their help during this difficult time.
David was originally from Brooklyn, NY who moved to Waterbury to graduate from Crosby High School. Afterwards, he became a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps and upon being discharged, returned to Connecticut to fall in love and marry his wife Kristen.
David was known to be the best hugger and was always lending a hand to family and friends whether it was working around the house or helping his father-in-law in the yard. Family and friends will miss his cooking and his backyard barbeques as he was known as the “The Grill Master.” His grandmother from Puerto Rico instilled in him his love for chicken and affectionately gave him the nickname “Pollo loco.”
David’s favorite place was vacationing at Moody’s Cottages at Crescent Beach, Maine with his family. The Velez family plans to have a celebration of his life when circumstances permit. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home in Wolcott has been entrusted with arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.dellavecchiawolcott.com
Please consider making a memorial contribution in David's memory to the college fund established for his son Noah Velez: www.ugift529.com Code: 734-C74
We love you David, you will be sorely missed by all of us.
DONATIONS
- Noah Velez College Fund
Memories
David Robert Velez
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYSamuel Feliciano
January 14, 2021
Dave.. My brother my friend. The Marine Corp lost another brother too soon. Semper Fi! I remember us riding around Harlem and Jersey City. That weekend was Puerto Rican Day parade. You took me to see the Big Pun Mural in the Bronx. Always smiling and laughing. Being at your wedding with your friends and family. I am blessed to have the memories and will share them with your son one day. Your in Gods hands now and will be missed. Till we see each other again. Love you bro
Jasmine Morales
January 14, 2021
I’ll never forget when we went to the pool hall in Manhattan years ago, we laughed so hard...that was a good day! Time has a way of passing by...and before you know it it’s been years since last speaking...I pray you are at peace Dave...you are missed❤️
Fredy Velez
January 14, 2021
Words cannot express what a great loss you are to me but the great bond we had I will continue with my grandson Noah. I will miss you but it's only a temporary good bye. I love you son.
Your Father
Maria Buhl
January 2, 2021
Dearest Lourdes and Andrea, I did not have the chance to get to know David except through you ladies. I know that he loves his wife and son. I know that he was a hard worker. Knowing the type of women you are (strong, confident), I am sure he was a good man. My heart goes out to you but also his wife and son. May God protect you always and guide you through this most difficult time as you process grief and healing.
Maria Buhl
Dinah Fuentes
December 30, 2020
My last memory of David was at his mom's wedding. I hadn't seen him in years but he remembered me. He sat at our table and we had a really nice time. He was quite funny too. He had everyone laughing at our table. He was a good guy with a kind spirit. Although he is no longer with us physically, his spirit will always live on in our hearts and I'm sure he will be watching over his family. My deepest condolences to the family. I can't imagine the pain you are going through right now but I pray that you are able to find comfort and peace with the wonderful memories you share with him. May he rest in God's eternal glory.
Andrea Tiso
December 29, 2020
I have so many memories with David to his places in nyc, his dads in jersey, weekend visits, you finally moving to Ct, cookouts, holidays, just hanging out. My heart breaks for your whole family. I never thought when we introduced you to Kristen that you guys would get married, have Noah & have such an amazing life together! I’m so happy I could be a part of it all. You were always so good to me & I will always miss hearing “what’s up Lg” lol after 20 years that nickname never went away! You will always be my family David & I will always be here for your family if they need me. Rest In Peace & watch over everyone! You will be missed but we will always keep your spirit alive
Felix Marquez
December 28, 2020
A real example of how to be 100% real, loving, caring, a man, a husband, father, friend .. always open arms and welcoming... would keep it honest and a real example of how people SHOULD be.. haven't seen D in a whiel but he has always been in my heart. Kristen will always be in my heart as well and Noah. One thing i learned from him was that being a real man included finding a woman that you care about above all things and dedicating your self to her..his wedding will always be one of THE BEST TIMES ive ever spent.. my prayers to the family..
Michael Fernandez
December 28, 2020
I remember when rick first took me to your crib in weehawken. When I introduced myself, you dapped me and gave me a hug. You had ordered Chinese food and offered me food before you started eating. After that day, we became close. We started chillin on the regular. Once I told you I was a rapper, you asked me for a cd of my music. The day after I gave it to you, I walked in your crib and you were blasting my cd and rapping my lyrics. That meant a lot to me. You were truly genuine. One of my favorite memories was when all of us went to philly to watch the Mets play the Phillies. We stayed up in the telly playin baseball on Xbox for hours. You will be missed and NEVER FORGOTTEN💯 LOVE YOU FOREVER💯
Bruce Neville
December 28, 2020
Dear Kristen, Bonnie, Gary ,Ali, and Family
We're so sorry to here of the loss of David. Our thought and prayers go out to you, and your family at this time. May David rest in peace.
Bruce and Diane Neville
Chelsea Gonzalez
December 27, 2020
Tio Dave! Don’t even know where to start, it breaks my heart to know you will no longer be around. Let me start off by saying, thank you for being such a great god father to me. Thank you for leaving a big impact on both my parents lives, they loved you dearly. You and Kristen came to my high school graduation in the pouring rain,(which was outside) things like that are unforgettable. I wish I could’ve reminded you more while you were here how grateful and how much love I have for you. But will meet again soon🤍 I’ll be graduating college soon and I wish you were there to see it! I’ll make sure little Noah finishes school, but I know he’s going to do amazing! I hope wherever you are, you’re resting and enjoying the “afterlife”. I’ll miss and love you forever, til we meet again.
Jose Maldonado
December 26, 2020
One of the many memories I have with Dave was at him and Kristens wedding. I remember going around looking for him and couldn’t find him so I said to myself forget it, he’ll turn up. I grabbed a drink and went to my car for a smoke and heard “Blaaah, blaaahhhh” I popped up out my car and saw Dave yacking by someone’s car and started cracking up til I got there and smelled it. I got a weak stomach so I started yacking too and Dave started laughing at me! Dave was more than a friend to me, he was my brother from another and always will be. Dave my man, you will be loved and and missed always bro, always! 😢🙏
Jose (Joey) Delgado
December 26, 2020
Davy was my favorite cousin. Growing up, he lived in NYC and I was in Philly. Our families would make the trips to visit, and sometimes I would stay over, sometimes he would stay. THAT was when we got into trouble! Davy introduced me to "toll free" phone numbers to speak to women - except he confused 1-800 numbers with 1-900 numbers, and those women were "working" if you get my meaning. When my family's phone bill came in, let's just say that my Dad was NOT happy. Don't even get me started about the time we took the hubcaps off of Mr. Serrano's car, Davy went back home, so I got full blame. Of course, then there were times like when we were both active duty Marines stationed very close to each other and spent alot of time together as young men, and then again later on when my wife (then girlfriend) Rachel and I would go to NYC to have pre-Thanksgiving dinner with Davy and Titi Lourdes and the family, or when I crashed out with Davy for Titi Lourdes and Uncle Mickey's wedding. Family love doesn't mean that you have to see them everyDAY. It means that when you do see each other or catch up, it means everyTHING to you. I only regret that our latest game was "we will get together soon", which of course we didn't make time to do. I will always miss my favorite cousin and fellow U.S. Marine, Davy Velez. Hey, Primo - "Oh Snap!".
Joann Gonzalez
December 26, 2020
It breaks my heart to lose you Dave. Thank you for all the memories. You were there for me throughout my first pregnancy, and without you I don’t know what I would’ve done. You were my cuddle buddy when Rick wasn’t around haha. You were like another brother. I’ll never forget when we first asked you to be the god father to our daughter and you were so excited. We knew as soon as I was pregnant you would live up to that position. I’ll make sure to be there for Noah and remind him how great you were. A day won’t go by where I won’t think of you. I know although you aren’t here physically, we have gained an angel and you will forever be watching over all of us. I will miss you, until we meet again. Love you Dave!
Sandra Deleskis
December 25, 2020
Dave, you have touched so many of our lives with your kindness and Love. You made everyone feel like they were special, your hugs were amazing. I loved the way you looked at my niece, it was comforting to know that she found a wonderful husband and wonderful father for Noah. We will always keep you in our hearts and prayers. You will be forever loved. Auntie Sandy♥️🙏🏼🙏🏼♥️
Bernadette Archie
December 24, 2020
My darling nephew... AKA Pollo Loco... Words can't begin to express how devastating it has been since you left. To say my heart is broken is an understatement. I'm glad that we were able to spent time together before the pandemic. That Saturday we were in the kitchen cooking dinner, having drinks, talking and laughing like always. You made your famous shoulder veal chops and I made mofongo with bacon and pork chops. What about the garlic bread I made? I forgot to wrap it in aluminum foil and they came out very crunchy. Every bite you took, made a very loud CRUNCHY sound and we all laughed. That's how I will always remember you. You will forever be in my heart ❤️❤️ Rest in Eternal Peace "My Pollo Loco" 🕊️🕊️ Titi Bernadette
Maryann Fuentes
December 24, 2020
My best memory I remember has to be when I was younger and David was a little boy - he was about 6 or 7. He had came in from jogging with my little sister, and was all tired from running. He went to lay down on the bed, and was huffing and puffing, groaning and complaining how tired he was to my Mother (his Grandma). Meanwhile, I am just laughing and saying to David you are a little boy and young, how can you be tired? He turned to my Mother and said "See Grandma! I'm sick and she don't care"! He had me laughing with that comment! Even as I remember it now, it still brings a smile to my face. I will truly, truly miss him. Rest in peace my sweet little nephew.