Joaquin Peña

With profound respect, we honor the life of Joaquin Antonio Peña, affectionately known as Pop and Papi, born August 19, 1951, in Gaspar Hernandez, Dominican Republic. Joaquin, a man of humble beginnings, embodied the true spirit of compassion and resilience. He was a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and his life serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who knew him. His captivating personality and genuine warmth drew people towards him, making him a beloved figure.

Joaquin's life was a testament to his dedication. Like many immigrants, he embraced any job available to him, from a dishwasher, office cleaner, to a factory worker, eventually opening his own business. Yet, he was not defined by his jobs, but by his love and devotion to his family and friends. His commitment to them was unwavering. Joaquin was a devoted father, a loving husband, a doting grandfather, a caring brother, and a generous friend. He valued his relationships above all else, putting his loved ones first in every situation. He was a man of faith, a devout Catholic who listened to mass daily, drawing strength and solace from his beliefs. In his leisure time, Joaquin was an enthusiastic dominoes player and an avid baseball fan.

Joaquin is survived by his son Christian (Katie), daughter Adela (Timothy), son Daniel (Stefani) daughter Ana “Patricia” (John) , and daughter Ellie. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Scott, Kiara, Cayla, Hailey, Davin, Zoe, Avery and Olivia. Joaquin is survived by his siblings Gertrudis, Trina, Trifilio, Andres, Carmen, Victor, and Morelys. He was preceded in death by his father Ramon, his mother Adela, and his dear wife, Braudelina. His life will be celebrated at the Reilly-Rakowski Funeral Home Inc. on Sunday, 13 Aug 2023 at 5:00pm, followed by a second viewing on Monday, 14 Aug 2023 at 10:00am at the Visitation BVM Roman Catholic Parish. The funeral mass will be held at the same location at 11:00am, followed by the interment at New Cathedral Cemetery at 12:30pm.

In the words of the scripture, Matthew 25:21, "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." These words resonate with the life of Joaquin, a humble servant who lived his life with love, compassion, and dedication.

We encourage all who knew Joaquin to share their memories, stories, and photographs on his memorial page, keeping his spirit alive in our hearts.