Don Marcelino "Pacho" Perez

PEREZ, Don Marcelino "Pacho" Don Marcelino "Pacho" Perez of Maple Avenue in Hartford died peacefully early Friday morning, (July 21, 2006) after a short illness. Born one of six siblings on April 25, 1922 in Lares, Puerto Rico, he was the son of Adon Perez and Rosalia Mercado (both deceased). Don Marcelino is survived by three siblings, Ina Perez, Antonio Perez, and Joe Perez all of Puerto Rico. His brother, Lalin Perez; and sister, Lolin Perez of Puerto Rico are both deceased. "Pacho" as he was affectionately know in the community, was a longtime resident of Hartford, when in 1968, he and his family moved here from Puerto Rico. Loved by many, he was widowed in 2004, when his wife of 59 years, Dona Carmen Valle de Perez, died after a long illness. His lifelong devotion to horticulture was witnessed by many who visited his backyard garden filled with the fresh ingredients for his famous Sofrito and those who knew him during his 20 years of work at Garden Nurseries. His love of culture, jibaro music, and Puerto Rican culinary traditions were evident to all who were fortunate enough to hear him sing or enjoy the gift of his homemade Sofrito. Pacho leaves as his legacy his most precious and well tended garden of six great-grandsons, Emanuel E. Rey, Amuaury F. Valentin, Danilo A. Gomez, Giovanni M. Valentin, Adriel R. Gomez, and Andres G. Valentin to whom he provided nourishment, love, care and a shining example of a man committed to his family and community. He also leaves a devoted daughter, Rosa Pagan and her husband, Pedro Pagan; and a son, Angel A. Perez of Hartford. He will be deeply mourned by his three grandchildren, Enid Rey and her husband, Freddie Valentin, Carmen Jeannette Rey-Gomez and her husband, Oscar Gomez, and Ricardo E. Rey. He will be missed by many including his former son-in-law, Guillermo E. Rey and his wife, Janet Rey. The family wishes to thank all of the individuals who greatly loved and cared for Pacho, especially Lurdes Delgado who has become a close family friend. Family and friends may call, TODAY, July 24 at the De Leon Funeral Home at 104 Main Street in Hartford from 5-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 25 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the De Leon Funeral Home followed by Holy Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Church with the burial to be held at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, located on One Cottage Grove Rd., Bloomfield.