Felix Dones

Dear Felix Dones Jr. it is with a heavy heart that I write these words. They say God works in mysterious ways, that's a fact. Your father came to my mind today so clear and decided to google his name.The image was very similar to the photo you posted. That's how I found out of his passing which crushed my heart. Pito and I bonded in Greenhaven. Our friendship grew even stronger upon our releases. We hung out and played hoops. We went to salsa clubs, and his lady Yoli (Yolanda) were both great dancers and a great couple. Unfortunately, as happens in life, we lost contact, and I always missed you all. Especially, since I had the great honor of being your godfather. Don't know if you'll remember this,  but my  last gift to you was a yellow Peugeot bike. Please forgive my absence. May God bless you always. I currently  live uptown Dyckman area. Love you, Romeo Sanchez.

Early Sunday morning on April 19th 2020 I recieved a phone call from a close friend telling me to check my messages. When I opened the text my eyes were sundenly filled with tears. My Father, Felix (Pito) Dones was finally found. Who would have thought that an article on something as dark as covid 19 would bring light and revelation to where my Father was buried. As I write this story it's hard to put into words what my Father meant to me, my family and all of his friends.

My dad was a really good looking man that was intelligent, wise and very well dressed. He wasn't the type to speak just to hear himself talking, but when he spoke people listened.  He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico but he was raised in Spanish Harlem on 103rd Street. My dad was a gifted athlete when he was young , a great boxer and basketball player. I heard so many stories about how well he carried himself in the streets and how well he was respected. He had four brother's and five sisters, he came from a realy big family that loved him dearly. So finding him after all of this time is going to bring us a lot of closure, although internally there will always be a part of us that's hurting until we see him again. It's not easy to write his life's story in a few paragraph's, but the one thing I want anyone who reads this to know is this, he blessed me with the passion and vision to think and dream big. As a father myself that to me that is one of the greatest gifts that you can give to your child.   

God has a strange way of healing someone, but he always heals. Sometimes it sadly comes by death, but who but those that have left us truly knows what comes after. I believe in God, Heaven and Eternity. I know that there has to be something more than this earth for us, and that is the hope that I hold onto in my soul every waking moment. We will one day be united and until then we all hold on to the memories of our loved ones within. Felix (Pito) Dones, my Father, my dad, my idol, you will never be forgotten and I will always try my best to carry our last name with dignity and respect.

Love your son

Felix Dones Jr.