Joe N. Perez

On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1935, Dora Perez, my grandmother, thought she was having indigestion while she was eating, but no, she was in labor! Her beautiful gift from God, her baby boy Joe Norbert Perez was born!
He was preceded in death by his son Britt Perez. He is survived by his wife Barbara Jean Perez. Three children: Kim Moore, Tammy Stigleman, and Brad Perez. Seven grandchildren: Austin Moore, Tyler Moore, Shannon, Perez, Hannah Stigleman, Bryson Perez, Caleb Stigleman, and Amber Perez Candelario, and one great granddaughter: Summer Moore. Although he didn't have any siblings, he was especially close to his cousin Hermi Madruga Herrick and referred to her as his sister.
He grew up in Ybor City, FL, always cherished his parents and family; and was nick-named 'Big Boy! His glory days were playing football for Hillsborough High School where he was an All-Star running back. He also excelled in track; his 880-medley record last 27 years! At the beginning of his career, he was offered a position which required traveling. It was wonderful living in Chicago, IL, Findlay, OH, North Dakota making new friends. But it was especially exciting living in Madrid, Spain and Panama experiencing different cultures, foods, and sightseeing! After 5 years he moved back home to Florida. Dad took great pride in building our home on Lake Alice, and a beach house on Anna Maria Island. He loved to ski, fish and play tennis. He enjoyed hosting foreign exchange students and visiting them in Europe meeting their families. Holidays were special; he'd smoke the best turkeys for Thanksgiving, and always participated in the raw egg toss at Easter. At Christmas he installed 13' trees in our living room, played Santa, lit a tree of lights on our floating dock in the lake, and had snow blowing off the roof for the grand kids to play in! We had a great childhood, dad taught us how to water ski, snow ski Colorado, dive for lobsters in Key West, and hosted summer beach parties! Dad encouraged us to play sports and went to all our baseball, softball, dancerette & football games, and swim meets.
After working almost 5 decades he retired from GTE. He stated he was much busier retired because he was assisting us, his kids, with all his grand kids! He was always available to assist his children and grand children when ever we reached out. He could fix anything and was strong as on ox!
He is terribly missed and will be forever in our hearts.