It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Daniel Antonio Vasquez, a bright, warm, and deeply devoted young man who left us prematurely on April 27, 2024. Born on January 19, 2005, Daniel was known for his naive and funny personality with a deep dedication towards his beloved grandmother, Emerita Ramirez.

He is survived by his loving mother and bio aunt, Janet Vasquez; his father and uncle, Mario "Jay" Perez Jr.; his caring siblings, Jayson Perez, Emily Molina and Nicholas Nazario; and his beloved grandmother, who played an integral role in his life. Daniel's family was the heart of his life, and he will be profoundly missed by them. Being a hardworking and robust young man, he aspired to live a life of 100 years with many big aspirations, but mental illness took him away sooner. However, he is now free of the pain and walks among the angels, still watching over his family, having their backs as he always did.

Daniel was a proud Herbert H. Lehman High School graduate in 2023. He had a particular fondness for Dominican Food and sports. He was an enthusiastic fan of rap music. An avid reader as a child, his favorite book was 'Captain Underpants'. He spent his leisure time watching SpongeBob, Stranger Things, and crime shows. He loved the movies Mrs. Doubtfire and Home Alone and was a passionate supporter of the Mets, Jets Knicks, and Rangers. Gaming and basketball was his favorite pastimes, and Nintendo Switch was his most loved game. He aspired to be a world-famous basketball player.  He was proud to have watched the Dominican team play in America on November 11, 2023. He could watch the game from the dugout as he was working a part-time job in security at Yankee Stadium at the time. 

In his own words, he believed, 'We are not all the same. Our brains are just different.' His greatest accomplishment was his high school graduation, which he was incredibly proud of. He also loved being Irish Dominican. His Irish roots from his bio mom were very dear to him. His legacy is a legacy of kindness, which will be carried forward by all who knew and loved him.

Daniel loved going to the gym, had a special affection for basketball, and loved collecting stylish sneakers. His favorite place to relax was Upstate New York in Fiume Bello, a vacation spot he cherished. He adored spending his summers on his bike, swimming all day and going to spend time at the farm. 

He had a special place in his heart for his younger brother, Jayson, whom he enjoyed hours of horseplay, playing with wrestlers, and causing mischief. He adored his sister, Emily, as she entertained his often wild, ridiculous jokes and teasing. He enjoyed testing the patience of his oldest brother, Nicholas, whose laid-back, quiet demeanour contrasted with his boisterous, mischievous personality.  Daniel took great pride in driving his parents crazy, but deep inside, he adored his parents. He counted on his mother to constantly bail him out of often tricky situations.  Like his mother, he shared a passion for true crime and often spoke about attending John Jay College to study criminal psychology.  He appreciated her hard work and sacrifices for her family and was grateful he was never deprived of anything. He credits Jay for his love of sports. 

Daniel's personality uniquely blended innocence, warmth, humor, and unparalleled devotion to his grandmother and Jesus. He was a true believer and relied on his faith to help him guide and protect him from an often cruel world.  He is now in the arms of his Papa Jesus and awaits the day to be reunited with this family. 

The Funeral Home viewing for Daniel will be held on May 6, 2024, at 5:00 PM at the Rivera Funeral Home Inc in Manhattan.  The funeral Mass will occur Tuesday, May 7th at 10 AM at the Church of Incarnation at 1290 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10033.  The  Burial at Ascension Cemetery will commence after the Mass. The family will have a repast lunch at Fire and Oak Restaurant at 100 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Montvale, NJ 0764. It will be an opportunity to celebrate Daniel's life and share the grief of his departure. 

We are reminded of Daniel's favorite lesson: our brains and hearts are different, but our kindness unites us.

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