Felix Perez
Felix A. Perez, a cherished beacon of light and love, departed from our world on April 1, 2025, at the age of 74. Born on a warm summer day in 1950 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Felix’s journey led him to Liberty, New York, where he passed away peacefully due to natural causes. He leaves behind a legacy of joy, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to his family.
Felix’s life was marked by a series of achievements and dedicated service. After graduating from Boys High School in June 1970, he pursued further education at Brooklyn College and then the NYPD Police Academy in 1973. Although he faced the city layoff, Felix’s spirit remained unshaken as he served as an EMT for Maimonides Hospital in 1975. His career path continued to unfold as he became a State Correction Officer in Otisville, NY, from 1977 to 1979, and later rejoined the NYPD from 1980 until his retirement in 1995. Felix’s work ethic was a testament to his character, embodying the very principles of courage and selflessness that he stood for.
Beyond his professional life, Felix was a man of many passions. He found solace in the intricate strategies of chess, the history held in coins and stamps, and the camaraderie of card playing. A lover of nature, science, and home improvement shows, Felix’s curiosity and desire for knowledge were insatiable. His love for books was matched only by his talent for storytelling, often regaling his listeners with jokes and tales that would leave them both enlightened and in stitches.
Felix’s generosity knew no bounds. He was a man who saw the joy in giving, whether it was his time, his stories, or the delicious breakfasts he lovingly prepared for his wife Julia, his children Daria, Felix, Enissa, and Genara, and his grandchildren Kierston, Khaia, Jayden, Avery, Elijah, Isaiah, Noah, Mathias, Orion, and his great-grandson Kamani. Each morning meal was an act of love, a tradition that will be cherished and remembered by his family for generations to come.
His pursuit of an active life was relentless; swimming, running, hiking, and fishing were more than hobbies—they were the mediums through which Felix embraced life’s beauty. He taught us all that life is a precious gift to be savored, a lesson that will continue to resonate through the lives he touched.
As we remember Felix, let us recall the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Felix always said “persevere” Felix indeed left a trail—one of laughter, dedication, and immense love. His life was a journey of giving, whether on the front lines as an officer or in the quiet moments shared with a grandchild over a game of chess.
Felix A. Perez was the epitome of a life lived fully and selflessly. His courage in the face of adversity, his generosity that knew no bounds, and his selfless nature made him not just a man to be mourned, but a man to be celebrated. Let us honor his memory by living as he did—with courage, generosity, and a heart full of love.
Today, we say farewell to Felix, but his spirit remains an indelible force in the lives of those he has left behind. As we navigate the paths of our own lives, let us carry his light with us, illuminating the way for others as he did for us. Felix A. Perez, a man of valor and virtue, may you rest in peace, knowing that your legacy will continue to inspire and guide us all.