Higinio Perez

Higinio Perez, 93, of Waterbury passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at his home while surrounded by the love of his family. Higinio was the devoted husband of Zenaida (Prado) Perez for 65 years. Born December 4, 1929 in Havana Cuba, he was the oldest son of the late Higinio and Maria (Yanez) Perez. Higinio and Zenaida emigrated from Cuba in 1962. Together they established Onyx Jewelers of Watertown in 1970 where he worked for over 40 years before his retirement. Higinio was an avid reader, particularly of history books. He was quite knowledgeable of dates, events and the people involved. He would share stories of his native Cuba before the onset of Castro’s Communism. He and Zenaida were among the first refugees to arrive in Connecticut in 1962. He loved the United States and was proud of his citizenship and entrepreneurial success.

Higinio enjoyed woodworking, refinishing furniture and repairing antiques. He lovingly handcrafted a set of twin beds for his grandsons. His grandchildren have many fond memories of spending time with their grandfather in his workshop learning about tools and the details of craftsmanship. He loved to tinker with electronic gadgets and collect old cameras and typewriters.
More than anything Higinio loved his family. He was a proud and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He treasured time with his grandchildren and watching them grow into the wonderful adults he so loves. He was blessed to meet and hold his great grandson Mateo.  His life, love and legacy will be treasured always.

Higinio is survived by his loving wife Zenaida, his son Eduardo Perez and his wife Josefa of Stratford and his daughter Susana Sanchez and her husband Augustine Sanchez of Naugatuck as well as his cherished grandchildren Daniel Sanchez of Woodbury and his partner JC Vallejo, David Sanchez and fiancé Kari Noseworthy of Middlebury, Mark Sanchez and his wife Stephanie Krieg of Newtown, Camelia Perez and her fiancé Andrew DelMonico of Ca. and Gabriel Perez and his partner Courtney Lang of NY  and his great grandson Mateo Sanchez He also leaves his cousin Hortensia Castro with whom he was very close.  Higinio is predeceased by his brother Roberto Perez.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 10 am at Calvary Cemetery, 2324 East Main St., Waterbury. All those planning to attend are asked to meet directly at the cemetery. Prospect Memorial/ The Palmerie Family Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Perez family with the arrangements. Please visit www.prospectmemorial.com to share a favorite photo, memory or your condolences.

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