Pedro Vela

Heaven was blessed with its newest angel on January 15th, 2025 as Pedro “Pedrito” Vela, was welcomed to join the Lord. Beloved husband, devoted father and grandfather, and loyal friend, he was widely known as the kindest and most generous soul you have ever met. Pedrito brought joy and happiness to our world for over 72 years and passed peacefully surrounded by family and life-long friends in Passaic, NJ, his home since moving from Cuba at the age of 15.

Pedrito and his wife, Maria “Mari” Elena Vela, brightened each other’s lives throughout fifty years of marriage and Mari will live on celebrating their lifetime of memories together that began upon first meeting at the tender age of sixteen. “Papi” to daughters Nanette and Janelle, Pedrito was a constant source of love, encouragement, and support and served as the foundational pillar of their family who they affectionately call their “Rock!” Pedrito’s trademark laugh and perfectly timed jokes lit up his grandchildren’s lives and Caleb, Ella, Sofia, Ethan and Charlotte will always smile when remembering how Papi was there for every single moment of their young lives, no matter how big or small. A father-like figure to sister/brother-in-law Diana and Julio Alvarez and sons-in-law Joe Haury and Kevin Sinno, Pedrito represents the personification of devotion and the voice of a trusted companion. Every member of Pedrito’s BIG Cuban family and large circle of friends will remember him as THAT loyal person who they could count on “no matter what!”

Pedrito was the light of his parents’ lives and Pedro Sr. and Luz Maria Vela raised a man who loved them both dearly. After leaving his cherished Cuba and coming to the U.S. by himself in 1968 as a 15-year-old boy with nothing, Pedrito worked night jobs after school each day to rent and furnish an apartment by himself. A year later he welcomed his parents with the commitment to provide them a good life in the U.S. and had transformed into a hardworking man who had to grow up fast. He not only gave them the “American Dream”, but he also achieved it himself while earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University, marrying the love of his life, buying and providing a home for his family, and completing a respected career in the Passaic County Courthouse prior to his retirement in 2019.

Pedrito loved “beisbol”, the Yankees and ice-cold beer. An avid baseball card collector, his specialized collection of Cuban-born and Yankees players was so impressive that it made local news headlines over the years. He enjoyed traveling with Mari and their group of life-long friends and their most recent adventures included trips to Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, and Key West. Warm summer days were the perfect excuse for Pedrito to party, and he knew how to party showing up with his cooler infinitely stocked with his friends’ favorite beers. He always thought of everyone else before himself!

After completing a life well lived, Pedrito is preceded in death by his parents, infant sister (Nellie), infant daughter, mother-in-law (Sylvia Gonzalez), and father-in-law (Julio Gonzalez).

To celebrate Pedrito’s life, a wake will be held at Alvarez Funeral Home in Passaic on Wednesday, January 22nd, 5:00-9:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the Vela family welcomes donations to a memorial fund created in Pedrito’s name ( click here ) that will establish a memorial bench and tree in Passaic’s Third Ward Park, one of Pedrito’s favorite locations to enjoy the sunshine each day. Any excess funding will be donated to the American Heart Association in Pedrito’s Memory. The world is a better place thanks to the kindness and spirit of Pedrito Vela.