Manuel Velez

Manuel (Manny) E. Velez, 90, of Tumwater, Washington, formerly of Sanford and Wells, Maine, died on Monday, May 23, 2022 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Manny was born in Cayum, Puerto Rico to Raymon and Dolores Estrada Velez. He spent most of his time in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico before joining the Navy. He retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer after 20 years of service and retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He was a proud father of two children, and supportive husband to his wife Carolyn. He was very active in the Catholic Church while at St. Ignatius and St. Mary's Parishes. His devotion to his faith was displayed in his involvement in the Knights of Columbus where he obtained the rank of 4th Degree Knight and was an active member of the Honor Guard. They moved to Washington state several years ago. Manny was predeceased by his wife Carolyn, his brother Jaime Velez, sister Nilda Velez and by great-grandson, Chance Riggins. Surviving are his two children, Michael Velez and his wife Robin of Sanford, Maine and Rebecca Orbeck and her husband Mat of Tumwater, Washington: four grandchildren, Jessica Johnson and her husband Adam, Brittany Riggins and her husband Ryan, Ian Velez and his wife Cherie and Nicholas Dennis, and five great-grandchildren, Haylie, Zoe, Cecilia, Eleanor and Chloe. His siblings include Elba, Aida, Elady, Edwin, Silvio and Zulma Velez-Estrada. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church located at 236 Eldridge Road in Wells on Thursday, June 16th at 11AM. Burial with Military Honors will be at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland at 2PM that afternoon.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com