Joseph "Pop" Perez

PEREZ, Joseph "Pop," 93, of Tampa, passed away November 4, 2006. He was a native of Yauco, Puerto Rico, and resident of Tampa for 28 years, coming after many years of living in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mr. Perez was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II, and retired after many years of service with the U.S. Post Office. Mr. Perez was preceded in death by his wife, Matilde Perez; and daughter, Elissa Marsala. He was a philatelist of world renown through his entrepreneurship with J. Perez Stamps by Approval. He was an aspiring boxer. When he met his wife, he joked that he chose the wrong ring. Varied interests led him to take the Charles Atlas course, violin and piano lessons. As a pastry chef at the St. Moritz Hotel, he became acquainted with popular Broadway artists who encouraged him to audition. He eventually became an understudy for a few Off- Broadway shows. He was fluent in English and Spanish, and fully conversant in the Greek, Italian and German languages. The family would like to thank members of the LifePath Hospice Pearl Team for their special care and attention. Survivors include his loving family, daughter, Lillian C. Arnold, and husband, Bob; son, Joseph R. Perez, and wife, Debbie; grandchildren, Adam, Tony, Tracy, Jason, Jayme, Robin, Nick, Genesis and Robbi; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Sara Perez; and several loving nieces, nephews and cousins.