Photo courtesy of Hillcrest Funeral Home Burial Park & Cremations - San Antonio
May 1, 1929 - Oct 22, 2025
My deepest condolences for your loss.
Laura Y
November 04, 2025 | San Antonio, TX | Friend
Rest in pace grandpa!!
Anais Vélez Zapata
November 03, 2025 | Cabo Rojo, PUERTO RICO | Grandchild
Hoy , me despido abuelo,hoy te digo hasta luego abuelo, a pesar de la distancia estoy con tristeza por tu partida,pues me quedaron recuerdos de la infancia junto a ti y luego de adulta tengo recuerdos que llevaré siempre en mi corazón. descansa en paz abuelo besos al cielo y siempre estarás en mi corazón.
Mabel Velez
November 03, 2025 | Cabo Rojo, PUERTO RICO | Family
Mariano Velez Martinez — beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend — passed away on October 22, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 96. He was born on May 1, 1929, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, to Brigida and Andres Velez, as the second oldest of 10 children.
Mariano’s childhood during the Great Depression taught him resiliency. Although he was only afforded a fourth-grade education, he worked very hard throughout his life to provide for his family and to help all three of his children receive their college degrees.
For 30-years, Mariano worked as a handyman in the housing department of the Puerto Rican government. Outside of work, he enjoyed fishing, cooking, gardening, watching baseball and playing at the casino.
Mariano is preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 70-years Isabel, his parents Brigida and Andres Velez, his brothers Octavio, Milton, Oswald, Santiago, Prenti and William, as well as his sister, Guillermina.
Mariano is survived by his sisters Carmen and Patricia, his three children, Mariano Jr., Yolanda and Lillian, his grandchildren Lorraine, Mabel, Anais, Diane, Lynette and Jose, and great grandchildren Derek, Kiara, Yadian, Yanelz, Alejandro, Gustavo, Keeanu and Mariano.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Hillcrest Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a rosary at 7:00 PM. Mariano will later be cremated, and his ashes will be laid to rest near his late wife, Isabel, in Puerto Rico.
The Velez family is establishing a one-time scholarship fund in honor of our beloved Mariano, who believed greatly in the importance of education. Those wishing to help can donate by check or online to the Puerto Rican Heritage Society, also known as Sociedad Herencia Puertorriqueña. Donors are asked to please indicate on the check that the funds being gifted should go specifically to the Mariano Velez Martinez Memorial Scholarship. Checks can be mailed to:
Sociedad Herencia Puertorriqueña
P.O. Box 460206
San Antonio, TX 78246
Those wishing to donate online can make a payment here: https://tinyurl.com/2sk8t6x2
Read More
