It is with great sadness that the family of Jose Ignacio Perez, of Gloucester, VA, announces his passing on Sunday, October 28th, 2018, at the age of 96.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Church of St. Therese, 6262 Main Street, Gloucester, VA on October 30th, 2018 at 10:00 AM.

Jose is survived by his son, Barbaro J. Perez, MD, daughter-in-law, Dinora and grandchildren Khatiana and Lucas, of Gloucester, VA.  He is also survived by his brother Orlando Perez, of Havana, Cuba, Irma Simpson, of Asheville, NC, and Josefina Cardenas, of Union City, NJ.  He leaves behind many nephews, nieces and cousins both in the US and Cuba.

Born and raised in Pedro Betancourt, Cuba, to Cecilio Ignacio and Angela Maria Perez, he grew up on a farm with eight siblings.  He attended school until 3rd grade, then, he learned carpentry and masonry from his father.  He worked at a sugar mill and built his own house.

Jose and his wife Lucia, had tremendous perseverance.  They lost 6 children prior to conceiving the only survivor, Barbaro.  After 13 years of waiting, he and his family flew to Costa Rica to obtain a visa to enter the US in search of a better future for their son.  A few months later, they immigrated to Union City, NJ in 1981, at the age of 58 with next to nothing.  He found a job at the maintenance department of a wallpaper factory; at the same time, he developed a small construction business.  He learned plumbing, roofing and many other trades.  He purchased his own home within five years after arriving in the US.  His business thrived, and he retired from the factory. He continued to do small construction proje