I am Gladys Echevarria Rivera. The youngest Maternal Aunt of Juan Pablo "Speedy" Zayas. I have been given the honor of speaking on behalf of the family, and in doing so, shall give you a glimpse of the wonderful person who we lovingly knew as Speedy. Thank you for joining us in celebrating his life.
The departure of a loved one is not an easy process to those of us who stay behind. Specially when it comes so unexpectedly and on the heels of the loss of our beloved Leo, less than a month ago. Those here are a testimony to the love and strength of our family. A love and endurance Speedy was so very much a part of.
My first memories of Speedy were of him wailing and waking me up in the middle of the night to change and feed him. He was around 10 months old and I around 9 years old. Soon a crib magically appeared for him in my bedroom because the decision was made that he was staying with us for a while. I did not mind the loss of sleep. Speedy was my big, greedy baby. You see, I did not play with dolls. Speedy and his big brother Cheerios were my real life Cabbage Patch kids.
Speedy was inquisitive about life. Kind to everyone. Generous to a fault. Quick to laugh and say "Oh my Bad" when he crossed a boundary. If he thought you were holding out on him and needed more information a simple "Holla" did the trick. And boy could he carry a tune. Beautiful voice. He was the one who nicknamed me the "family pitbull." A label I proudly accepted because I understood he was giving me a compliment. When I caught COVID last year, he stepped up and made sure I was taken care of. He didn't have to do that, but that is who he was. I made sure he knew how grateful I was and he simply brushed it away telling me it was nothing.
Speedy did not have an easy life. He was plagued by muscle dystrophy in his legs since birth. A condition which causes constant pain and difficulty in walking. Yet, I have never met a more hard working person in my life. Or ever heard him complain. On the contrary, he always put others first. In a cruel twist of fate, and at an early age, he was abruptly separated from those he loved the most. Perhaps that was the pivotal moment which burned in him the desire to become a great father. Speedy dedicated himself completely to his family. Playing the part of the devoted husband and family man as only he could. I hope Dario, Lyonna and Destiny know that they were deeply and unconditionally loved by their father. Look around, this family is your father's labor of love. We are here willing to stand with you in this difficult time.
My last memories of him will be of us spending a weekend in Kissimmee, FL, just a few weeks ago. He was my Sous Chef as I prepared a Paella. As he chopped up the peppers and onions, we caught up on family gossip. Before dinner, we swam in the pool and I introduced him to Merlot. He was impressed and promised to give it chance. But that lasted about 10 minutes. Soon after he poured himself a rum and coke. When my fiancé told Speedy his favorite Italian dish was Chicken Parmesan, he made us promise to come by for lunch before heading back home to Jacksonville the next day. To quote Dave's words, "That was the best Chicken Parmesan I ever had." For those who did not know, Speedy was a sought-after Chef for many years at various Italian Restaurants throughout South Beach.
I would like read out some anonymous quotes and memories from those who knew him best:
He accepted me as I was regardless of what stage in my life I was. He always asked me, "Are you happy? Yes? Then I am good."
Always gave good advice. "Go for what you want." He always reminded people of what they had. Of their blessings.
His laugh. Big and Loud. Lite up a room. He was a silly goose. Biggest Heart.
Silence. Grief would not allow some to say anything. And kept their memories to themselves. And that is okay. Your silence speaks volumes.
Selfless and Kind. We would battle it out in the kitchen. But his Italian dishes were untouchable. I will miss us cooking together.
Speedy was the biggest gift I could have given my mother. Since the age of 2 months, he was in her home more often then not. When asked who nicknamed him Speedy, Marilyn stated that she did after the cartoon character Speedy Gonzalez. (This one I could not keep anonymous since pretty much anyone can figure out who Speedy's mom is).
He had the greatest smile. Kind. My right hand man. When it came to man to man issues, he was my confidant.
Speedy was a great motivator. Had high expectations of himself and others. Always looked at things from a positive perspective. You could see the love he projected unto others.
Speedy always believed in family and loved hard. The goodness in him didn't like to see people struggle or hurt. He was that guy who was a friend to many girls and most girls fell for him because he was a good listener. He was compassionate and forgave those who did him wrong. He didn't hold grudges and despite the pain he felt physically and emotionally he always put other people before himself. He was an Empath.
He was a take his shirt of his back kind of guy. Thoughtful. I remember him as an infant laying on his back after surgery on his legs. Doctors stated he would never walk again but his perseverance and big heart allowed him to push through life and overcome his disability. Speedy to me was more than just a nephew. He was a friend, someone you can count on, someone to talk to, a great father to his children and my little brother.
In looking for a text through my phone a couple of days ago, I found the last text Speedy and I shared. It was dated June 1, of this year. I sent him a Christian song I had just listened to and I knew it would speak to him, as it did to me. It talks about pain and suffering being almost gone because we are almost home.
I would like to leave you with this Bible verse before playing the song:
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up,
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Please listen to this beautiful song, Almost Home by MercyMe and let it's lyrics comfort you.
Love you and miss you Baby Boy!!!
Titi G.
