Peter "Pops" Veytia Sr.

VEYTIA, Peter Sr. "Pops" 98, passed away peacefully at home on March 27, 2012. He was born in Habana, Cuba in 1914. He entertained and inspired any and all who listened to stories of his varied careers, starting as a journalist in Franco's Spain, as a combat engineer with General Patton's Third Army in WWII, and to his many business endeavors throughout the Caribbean and Central America. After the war, while working as an auditor for TACA Airways, he frequently traveled to Honduras, where he met Margarita Lopez, a stewardess and colleague who would become his loving wife for the next 62 years. During that time he started an import/export business that supplied lumber throughout the Caribbean Islands and timbers to the booming oil industry in Venezuela. His two freighters also transported coconuts and bananas along the U.S. Gulf Coast. He launched an industry utilizing sawmill waste to create a number of useful wood products. In his "pastime" he started a dairy farm as well as other businesses that produced Perique tobacco, ornamental plants and produce for export to Europe. Once retired he meticulously documented his experiences into a visual presentation which he entitled, "My 37 Year Vacation in Central America". He is survived by his loving wife Margie, devoted children, Ana Adler, Peter Jr. and Edgar Veytia; daughter-in-law, Shawn Veytia five grandsons, Peter III, Dana, Dan, Charlie Veytia and Jim Adler and two great-grand-children, Alexandra and Ryan Adler. He loved his family and his family loved him. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Suncoast Hospice, without whose support we cannot imagine. A gathering and service will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at 10 am. Memorial Park Funeral Home 5750 49th St. N St. Petersburg, FL 33709 727 527-1196