Carlos P. Vela

VELA, Carlos P. - Born November 13, 1918 in San Salvador, El Salvador. Passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2005. Lived his adult life in San Francisco. He was a Merchant Marine from 1949 - 1959. He opened his first hardware store in 1947 at 47 Franklin St. In 1952 he moved his business to the Mission District. In 1965, he obtained his real estate license. He was a top salesman for Boise Cascade. In this capacity, he won trips abroad, due to his successful sales style. He later opened his own real estate company called Kennedy Realty. His final business enterprise was proprietor of a hardware store he named "No Money No Honey". He was proud to be self-employed and a small business owner in the Mission District. Carlos spent his life assisting and providing much needed services to his community. In addition to real estate services and discounted hardware sales, he also assisted individuals and families with immigration assistance, tax filings, notary and translation services. His most prized accomplish-ment was his family, and his biggest regret was not finishing high school. His most cherished moment was marrying his wife Maria, and his saddest was the passing of his son Edward and younger brother George. His son Edward preceded him in death in 1986. He is survived by wife of 56 years Maria; daughters, Carol Simmons (Bill), Carmen Vela, Elizabeth Vela, Rose Mary Vela (Lou); and sons, Raymond Vela (Shirley), Bill Vela, Esq. (Janice), and Mauricio Vela and his grandchildren, Ray (Shizuyo), Kristina, Carlos, John, Justin, Edward, Michael, Claire, Robert, Kevin, Marisol, Evita and his great grandson, Nicolas. Many thanks to the staff at St. Lukes' ICU for the great care they gave our father. The Rosary will be said on Thursday, December 1, at 7:00 PM at Driscoll's Valencia Street Serra Mortuary, 1465 Valencia St. Mass will be said on Friday, December 2, at 10:00 AM at St. Paul's Church located on Church St. at 29th. In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to the Parent Voices - Save the Bernal Preschool c/o Parent Voices, 445 Church St., S. F., CA 94114 or a charity of your choice.