Denis Vasquez

Denis grew up and was raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. You can say that the LES was a part of him. The way he carried himself, the lessons he learned and taught, sometimes even the way he thought about life. The streets of the LES would be a part of him from his start and even now after his passing. The LES (The Smith Houses/ off of Pearl St.) would not just be his home but would become his mechanic shop, his classroom, his race track and ultimately make up the soundtrack of his life. Denis was a mechanic, a referee, a fisherman, a technician, a chef, a comedian, a DJ but most importantly a family man.

At a young age Denis and his late father Pedro work together to fix up cars. Since Pedro was a taxi driver, when the car needed fixing Denis took the chance to see him in action. Which explains how easy it was for him to become a mechanic later in life. Denis and his brother Pedro Jr. spent their teenage years bonding over times of stealing their father’s car and driving around from place to place just to see what New York City had to offer. One can say Denis as well as his brothers Pedro Jr and Fernando’s love for cars started at a young age because of their father. Whether it meant collecting them, driving them, fixing them or owning them if you wanted to find Denis listen for the roaring of an engine.

When it was time to have a car of his own, Denis’ presence was well known on the block based off the music that was blasting out of his car! Important people and events throughout his life helped add to the playlist that would eventually become a track list for every gig he had as a DJ. Parties with his family would bring out Salsa and Bachata music. Crazy Nights out with “the smith boys” ( his best friends) would add Freestyle, Hip Hop and House music. And when he became a Father, Pop, R&B and Reggaeton would complete the set. Music became the bonding experience for him and his children. “Growing up, us girls watched our Dad tell stories and connect with the music that he played. After a long day of work and school for us kids we knew what kind of day it was if we could hear music blasting out of the house. As little girls, myself (Mireigha) and my sisters would come home and listen to him scratch his music from the top steps of the basement. We can always tell how he was feeling based on the music he was playing. The genre of music that each sister felt strongly connected too was freestyle music. Once he was playing Stevie B, Coro or TKA we knew it was safe to go down, grab a mic and join in.” The smile on his face said it all, no matter how tough any given day was when the music was playing we always turned it into our own little party. Music and everything that came with it would be a key ingredient for everything Denis did in life.

That being said, when the holidays came around his favorites being Thanksgiving and Christmas; Music was always on in the background. It was part of his traditions. The holidays were his favorite time because it meant that it came with a lot of cooking and family time. Denis considered himself a Chef of all things good. And made it a point to prove it. Whether it was baking a flan, pilling up ingredients for a pasteloñ, or grilling some BBQ. Denis threw down in the kitchen. He would call his sister Lissette to talk about what recipes he made and sometimes admitted defeat when he knew he couldn’t make a dish as good as her. Thanksgiving had to make it known that in almost every dish he had some sort of input. But most of all he was just proud to be able to host his family in such a large capacity and he made sure to always be ready to cut the turkey as soon as dinner was ready. The holidays also provided the time to teach his granddaughters Mya all the best recipes that he wanted to pass down. One important one would be teaching her the tips and tricks of sofrito. He would say to her “ Sofrito is one of the most important ingredients in Spanish cooking. -Denis”. Spoken like a true proud Puerto Rican. But holiday traditions aside, he was the ultimate foodie. And the LES was home to some of his favorite foods but all and all nothing beats a Denis Vasquez Sunday Breakfast. He was The King.

Truthfully, there was nothing Denis couldn’t do! He spent his 50 years of life providing food, fun and love to all the people around him. His smile and funny demeanor shine bright in everyone's heart. The people who got to meet him and love him have countless memories of a big guy with a big heart from the Lower East Side. A friend to all and a shoulder to lean on. It brings the family peace knowing that he’s up there looking over us. No longer in pain, riding around heaven in his Chevy Camaro. Until we meet again.

We Love you Denis

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