Juan Baez

Juan Baez, age 90, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, left to be with his loving wife, Amelia, in heaven on Thursday, August 10, 2017, as his time on earth came calmly to an end. Juan was born in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico on June 24, 1927. He was the son of Angel Baez and Delores Ramos and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, Reynaldo Santiago, and sister, Maximina Baez. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Victor and Carmen (Castaneda) Baez, Carolina (Baez) and Paul Anderson, and Sonia (Baez) Wyatt; grandchildren, Tonya and James Higgins, Briceia Baez, Victor Baez Jr., Anita and Krystle Sheardown, Paul Anderson Jr., Alyssa Anderson, Andreas and Melissa Wyatt, Marissa and Eric Seaman; 12 great grandchildren; brothers, Evangilista Baez, Tomas Baez; sister, Engracia Garcia; his loving partner, Amalia Martinez; her children, Sammy and Rhonda Martinez, Ismael Martinez, David and Esther Martinez, Luis and Rosa Martinez, Lisa Martinez; all the Martinez grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Juan was an employee of Michigan Bakery and Butternut Bakery for 42 years before retiring. He was a man devoted to his family and friends from all around, and he love his Detroit sports, especially the Tigers. He loved playing his daily lotto numbers and always spoke the phrase “por un numero” on every play. He was a member of St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church for many years and had a great relationship with everyone there. Juan had a love for life and was always smiling, laughing, and telling jokes. He will be missed by everyone forever and always. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at St. Joseph the Worker, 3138 Birchwood SW, Wyoming,  with Fr. Steven Cron Celebrant.  Interment Kent Memorial Gardens.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Monday from 5-9 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville), 4145 Chicago Dr. SW, as well as from 10-11 am prior to the service at church. A Rosary will be held on Monday at 7:30 pm at the funeral home.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Spectrum Health Hospice.