Obituary of Juan Jose Perez-Vazquez

PEREZ-VAZQUEZ, Juan, 68, of Spring Hill, passed away January 18th, 2012. He was born in Guayanilla, PR. His mother was Virginia Vazquez and father Juan Perez. Juan’s father was an excellent Paso Fino horse rider and judge known in the island as one of the best riders in Puerto Rico and instilled all his passion for the sport to his son, who also became a judge. Juan was raised in Salinas, PR where he graduated at age 17 and immediately joined the US ARMY. He served his country with pride and honor, receiving several awards for his outstanding performance, positive attitude, and unquestionable loyalty, leadership and support of the Army Equal Opportunity Program. Awards received were: National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star & one Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Good Conduct Medal (6th AWD), Army Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd AWD). His education included, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and Wire System installation Operator CRS. His specialty was as Tactical Communications Systems Operating Mechanic and Two Wire System Installer/Operations. In 1969 he was stationed in Panama in La Escuela de las Americas. There he met the love of his life Nidia, who he called “Nena” and married December 26, 1974 in Puerto Rico. In 1976, while stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington, they had their son Johnny, who inherited his good heart and joy. In 1979 while stationed in Germany, their daughter Johselyn was born and she was daddy’s little girl. In 1985, after 26 years of honorable service, he retired the US Army as Sergeant First Class (SFC) and moved to his island of Puerto Rico with his family, where he lived for 20 years. In 1999, his youngest son Jose was born, filling him with joy. In 2006 he moved to Tampa with his family to join his daughter Johselyn who had graduated from USF as a Mechanical Engineer. In 2007, he moved to Spring Hill, FL. He was a spoiling grandfather of Johnny’s girls Tatiana Nayshaliz (7) and Kayla (6), and Johselyn’s son Javier(3), who was his little doctor and helper until the end. Throughout his life he showed his love and humbleness to everyone who surrounded him. Always giving! That was SFC Perez. He always wanted to help no matter the circumstances. He raised lots of children like his own with love and tenderness. These children call him Papi, like Elliot Rivera who joined the Air Force following in Papi’s military steps. He helped nephews and other family members by bringing them into his home to help them have a better future. He was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather and all around human being. He always wanted to give a hand to even those who he had just met. He had a huge heart. He is survived by his wife of 37 years Nidia (Shery); sons Johnny, Jose, and Elliot; daughter Johselyn (Shelyn); son-in-law Jose; grandchildren Nayshaliz, Kayla, and Javier; brothers Hector, Corso, Guayo; sisters Virgen, Elba, and Aida; extended families, Casillas-Gonzalez, Ekemstam, Austin, Cabrera, Partridge, and Sanchez. He will always be missed! A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday at Loyless Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Committal services with full military honors will be at the Florida National Cemetery on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.