Ervin Velez Medina ’61

Ervin Velez, 78, born March 22, 1938 passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2016 after losing his battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Solange, his children, Edgar, Myrna, and Edna, his daughter-in-law, Camille, his grandchildren, Alexandra, Paola, and Evan, and also by his mother, Maura, and sisters Jean and Elsie.

Ervin was born in Venezuela, but grew up in Puerto Rico, becoming a U.S. Citizen at an early age. He attended Maine Maritime Academy graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Marine Science degree. He then became a Merchant Marine, married Solange, and settled in New York City, where his two first children were born. He traveled the world until he decided to follow his father’s footsteps and went back to Puerto Rico to become a Harbor Pilot. There, his third and last child was born. He served as a Harbor Pilot until he retired in 1998 and moved to Houston to be close to his children and grandchildren and settled down in Kingwood where he enjoyed helping his neighbors, doing woodwork, amateur radio, and spoiling his grandkids. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at Durst Funeral Home in Kingwood.