Efren Celestino Velez Cordero

Efrén Celestino Vélez Cordero was born May 17, 1936 in Isabela, Puerto Rico to Juana Cordero Pérez and Celestino Vélez Angueira. He lived 87 years until April 10, 2024. He joined the United States Army Reserves on November 29, 1954 and served as a Light Weapons Infantryman until November 14, 1956 on Active Duty. He was released from Active Duty back to the Reserves until August 18, 1961. He married Elisa García Mirabal in 1964. Later in July 21, 1965, a daughter, Leticia “Aileen” Vélez García, was born. In August 1970, he married Sonia Santos Latorre. On December 30, 1971, a son, Efcel Vélez Santos, was born. Efrén worked multiple jobs throughout his career. However, the airline industry was his love. He worked with Eastern Airlines and Pan American World Airways, mostly in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For about a year, circa 1981, he was stationed at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the State of Georgia. In October 1983, Pan Am strategically programmed to close the station in San Juan. The general manager in San Juan gave Efrén a choice to transfer to Miami or New York City. He responded with, “I am not going to either. I am going home (Kissimmee).” His parents and other family members already lived in the sunshine state, where he owned a home. Efrén was known to his friends and family as Junior, Junny, Jun, and Grandpa JuJuBoms. For more than four decades, many friends and neighbors considered Efrén family. According to one of his neighbors, “He was a whiz at fixing everything he put his mind to.” He helped people often and he loved it. He was a special part of his friends’ lives, who kept him active, entertained, and working out in the gym. Efrén was independent to the end. He is preceded in death by his parents, Juana and Celestino, his sister, Teresa María Vélez Cordero, his brother, Carlos Alexander Vélez Cordero, brother-in-law, Richard D. Meade, and great-granddaughter, Esther Marie Vélez. Family left to remember him are: Sister-in-law, Miriam Diaz Castro, his daughter, Aileen, and husband Diego Edgardo Tavarez Córdoba, his son, Efcel and wife Dawn Michelle Velez; His grandchildren are José Miguel Martínez Vélez, Melanie Tavarez Vélez (Paul Santa Maria), Melissa Tavarez Vélez (Paul Sepulveda), Diego Edgardo Tavarez Vélez, Aaron E. Vélez (Rachel M.), Cristian E. Vélez, Destiny M. Vélez, Caleb E. Vélez; great-grandchildren are Aiden Santa Maria Vélez, Amelia Santa Maria Vélez, McKenna M. Vélez, Mason F. Downs, Emmalye M. Vélez, Adaline M. Vélez, Soren J. Vélez, his niece, Mirisasha Vélez and nephews Jose W. Benítez and Carlos A. Vélez Diaz.

Efren Celestino Velez Cordero

May 17, 1936 - April 10, 2024