It is with a heavy heart that I share the unexpected passing of my Uncle Veto. He was born Florentino Romero Salazar on October 16, 1951 and passed away gently in his sleep on Thursday afternoon, March 26, 2020 at 68 years of age. To those who knew and loved him, he was always and affectionately Uncle Veto.

He was quirky and kind and never knew a stranger. He loved singing karaoke and even had quite the following from folks young and old on the karaoke circuit here in Uptown Chicago. He loved the energy of the crowd and sharing his heartfelt gift of song. If there ever was a master of "Name That Tune," it was Veto. He was an avid reader and amassed quite a collection of books during his time here in Chicago. Even at 68 years of age, he spent many of his days riding his bike around the city and along the lakefront enjoying the breeze and taking in the beauty of nature. He got a real kick out of experimenting with his hair color, and I was always surprised at what color he might be showing off when I'd see him. It was a fun trademark of his personal style and witty character. I think it just made him feel free and fully expressed as a child of God. And yes, he did love God. I know he found a great deal of comfort and esteem in praise and gratitude for his creator.

Words just can't fully express what he meant to me and our family back in his hometown of Waco, Texas. There won't be a day that goes by that I don't think of him and miss him.