Gonzalo Velez

“It’s hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember.”

Our family is deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather Dr. Gonzalo “Zal” Velez, Deputy Mayor of the Township of West Orange, returned to his heavenly home on April 28, 2021, due to respiratory failure.

He is survived by his loving wife Josie and daughter Mary Jo, son-in-law Luca, their children Alessia, Paolo & Matteo Gonzalo, as well as, his daughter-in-law Vicky and her children Nicole and Anthony Jr. Zal is also survived by his brother Alberto, his wife Cora and their children Carol & Leonard. He will be embraced at Heaven’s gate by his son Anthony (predeceased August 1, 2020) and his brother Teodoro.

A funeral mass to celebrate and honor his grand life and his selfless contributions to many communities and causes, will be held on Friday, May 7 at 10am, at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 1 Eagle Rock Ave, West Orange, NJ 07052.  Following the mass, the interment will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery & Mausoleum, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, NJ 07936.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gonzalo Velez, please visit our floral store.