The Perez Family would like to thank you for your support and prayers through 
this difficult time. It is a tremendous comfort in our grieving and healing 
process. Hilario or Sonny as we know him, was my older brother. if you knew him 
at all, you would have to agree that he was a very "memorable" person. I could 
go on for days about him, but I'll try not to do that now.

Those closest to him know that he was not an "easy" person. He would tell you 
that he was a "rascal". as he put it.  He knew he made mistakes along the way - the 
same mistakes over and again resulting in heartache for himself and those who 
loved him. I'm not saying anything to speak ill of him. We loved him very much. 
That's just who he was. He had a lot of pride and he struggled with that very 
much. He would have liked to have been a better brother, a better friend, and 
most importantly, a better father. That overwhelmed him the most-- that 
apprehensive feeling....that there wasn't enough time. or the right words, or 
enough of anything to make things right or better. 

But our brother was more than than that. He was more than the sum of his past 
mistakes. He was more than those choices that he made or the problems he would 
create. He was a child of God, a treasure in the arms of Christ. He was the best 

person he could be." As his son James say.  He had faith. He believed in God - he 

loved God and asked Him for forgiveness and mercy. So we can remember the best of times.

Growing up he patiently taught me how to tie my shoelaces - when no one else could. he 
wiped away  tears, he made me smile. He fed my cats even though he really didn't want 
to. He did it for me.  He gave some colorful advice also.  It's not really 
advice that I would repeat in church, but trust me it was good advice, and it helped me 
become the person I am today.

When I was 18, he convinced our dear, strict and protective mother to allow me to 

travel with him to California. I was shocked. I couldn't get my mom to budge on 
anything. He could be very persuasive. On the road we talked a lot and 
well....we also ran out of gas -- on a hill in the middle of nowhere. It may 
have been my fault. But he went into big brother mode as he often did, and he 
took care of me. He protected me -and fortunately there was a gas station on the 
other side of the hill.

We made it to California where I found out his plan was to take me to go see all 
the kid stuff - Knottsberry Farm, Disney World and places like that.  That was 
okay, but remember... I was 18. I had other things I wanted to see and do. He 
pouted a lot when Lydia and his in-laws offered to take me to Vegas. He wanted 
me to  be a kid still. Well, I went to Vegas and had a great time and we did the 
kids' stuff too, so we were both happy.

When I married the second time, he was at my wedding. He showed up in warm-ups 
and a baseball cap, but there he was. I smiled and shook my head, happy to have 
him there. If all of his pall bearers showed up tomorrow in warmups and baseball 
caps to remember him. I'm sure he would throw his hands up and laugh out loud.

People sometimes ask me why I felt my brother was my responsibility.  I don't 
know why, but I did. I had a soft spot for him. Many of us did. And I think it's 
everyone's responsibility to take care of each other. So, I did what I felt I 
needed to do. Not just for him, but for myself.  I'm selfish and I hear heaven 
is a really nice place. As my mother-in law says it must be a great place. No 
one ever comes back.

Sonny was in the hospital for his last weeks in mostly poor condition due to his 
illness, but a few days after the New Year started, he was well enough to joke 
around, tease with the nurses, and make phone calls. he sounded really good 
spirits in the last voicemail he left me. He said, "Happy New Year, Sissy. I 
love you". 

We all helped him a lot. I regret that I wasn't there to hold his hand, but I 
hope you will take comfort, as I do to know that in the end --- he did have a 
smile on his face. I hope that means he came face to face with Jesus. 

He would want us to laugh and enjoy life. So please do that. Help us to 
celebrate his life by doing good for others and remembering the good times.