By Nilba Sanchez
Philadelphia, PA: Death is the last step of life, but it is very difficult to accept it, especially when it is about a being like Roberto Feliz, as he was known by all communities, throughout the geography of Delaware Valley, at all levels, social and economic.
Warren Roberto Feliz dies at age 61 on Father’s Day, June 18, 2023, in Camden, New Jersey. Relatives are invited to celebrate his life on Friday, June 30, 2023, at May’s Funeral Home in Philadelphia, and his remains will rest in Greenmount Cemetery.
Relatives described Roberto Feliz as a loving father and very familiar. “Proud to be a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and even with cousins, probably an affectionate approach,” says his sister Ivette Feliz. She leaves three children: Roberto, Enrique, and Xavier Feliz; three grandchildren, Adrian, Lisa, and Anna; and many nephews and nephews. He is the oldest brother of five: Eddie Feliz (deceased) and three sisters: Ivette Feliz, Ruth Basco, and Jacqueline Kaegi.
happy Roberto
“Extraordinary human being and very family-oriented,” said his cousin, Catalina Hunter, a community leader, and activist in North Philadelphia’s Hunting Park area. She narrates with emotion the great moments lived with Roberto as a family. “He never let Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday go by without coming to share with the family.”
“He was detailed, humorous, but polite and very respectful. He always brought me chocolates, a good wine, flowers, etc. He enjoyed Dominican Creole food, as a family”. Roberto was very affectionate. “When I arrived in Philadelphia, in the 80s, I was received and supported by him”, narrates Catalina.
The optimistic businessman and founder of his own inspection company, “Happy Homes,” which he was running when death surprised him. In addition, he is a private employee of a company that offers environmental protection and asbestos detention services on school grounds.
Competent, honest, and helpful public employee. He served as an inspector in the City of Philadelphia Department of Licensing and Inspections during the 1990s, paving the way for everyone, especially Latinos, to obtain business licenses with neatness and professionalism. In addition, he successfully ran the Public Works department in Camden City, New Jersey, during the 1980s. “Roberto Feliz helped many people get jobs,” said the Camden businessman, political leader, and community, José Fortuna, “I know because he did it with one of mine, very close.”
Professional highlight. He studied Public Administration at Columbian Southern University. He graduated from St Joseph University with a Master of Science and Health and Public Safety and Environmental Protection Management. He is EPA certified for inspection of asbestos and occupational hazard in the workplace. He studied Building Environmental Management at Community College and Fire Academy Graphic. He graduated as a Fire Code Technologist from West Chester University.
Free, independent, and transparent politician. He was a candidate for mayor of the city of Camden, as he also aspired to other positions, in peripheral areas of Camden, without getting the necessary votes because he always ran independently; he did not seek support from parties, “I don’t want someone else to draw me the guidelines of my work, I want to do it well, in my style,” Roberto Feliz used to say.
Despite not being born in Quisqueya, he boasted of having origins in the land of his ancestors, Barahona, Dominican Republic. He related to everyone equally, from Representative Espaillat, from New York, to the humblest, wherever he wanted him to be. His family immigrated to the United States in the early 1960s; he settled in Union City, New Jersey. He took advantage of occasions, such as national holidays, to present with the Dominican community and request that they include him in the Dominican agendas.
He is an unconditional friend and always ready to help whoever needs it. Many can be spokespersons for this characteristic that defines this great human being. Whoever writes could fill entire pages talking about Roberto, the sincere friend. Today I can only say that after so many years of friendship, he suddenly disappears without warning or indicating anything. It is hard to accept that we have stopped having his presence. And from now on, we will have the pleasant memory of having met him and having shared great, beautiful, and tender experiences with a sincere friend.
Roberto Feliz is adored by the humble and loved by the great. Man of great humility and a strong sense of justice. He leaves a legacy of harmony, inclusion, and respect throughout all communities. He knew how to combine all the cultures converging where they developed, especially the American culture with the different Latin cultures. In short, we have lost one of the figures that he knew how to relate to everyone, without political, religious, or creed factions.
