Pedro Rey, 65, of Woburn, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, September 17, in the comfort of his own home.

Pedro was born in Havana, Cuba, one of three children of the late Pedro J. and Mercedes (Valdes) Rey. At the age of seven, he immigrated to the United States with his family. He grew up in Somerville, then moved to Arlington for a while, and later settled in Woburn, MA.

Pedro was a loving and fun father who found his greatest happiness in taking care of his family. He was an incredibly giving person, and whether it was money, a small trinket he thought someone would enjoy, or simply his time, Pedro was always looking for an opportunity to give. He never needed a special occasion to do something thoughtful. If he could make someone's day a little easier or put a smile on their face, that was reason enough.

Perhaps one of the most meaningful examples of Pedro's caring nature was for the love and compassion he showed his parents, helping care for them in their later years by taking them to appointments, bringing them lunch, and helping with physical therapy. He was someone his family could always count on, no matter what, even while facing his own health challenges.

Pedro loved openly and generously. He was always thinking about others and looking for ways to make the people around him happy. In his free time, he loved dancing, listening to music, and watching sports. He also had plenty of fun finding new and creative ways to play games, like trying to catch a crumpled piece of paper without warning, or seeing how many times in a row a ball can be caught without dropping. He had a natural talent for keeping people engaged.

Pedro also served in the National Guard. He received a perfect 300 score in his PT, which he had framed and was very proud of. Pedro also had a lifelong love of sports and competition. He enjoyed the excitement of a good game and possessed a naturally competitive spirit that made just about any activity more fun. He also loved to work out and took great pride in staying active and keeping himself in shape. Whether exercising, following his favorite sports, or enjoying a little friendly competition, Pedro brought his enthusiasm and energy to everything he did.

As much as Pedro loved being a father, becoming a grandfather brought an entirely new kind of joy into his life. When his grandson, Josiah, was born, Pedro's naturally nurturing spirit shined brighter than ever. He poured every ounce of love he had into his only grandchild, cherishing their time together and creating a bond that was truly something special. Josiah held an extraordinary place in his grandfather's heart, and Pedro treasured every opportunity he had to care for him, spoil him, make him smile, and simply be his Grampy.

Pedro is survived by his loving children Lynne Mercedes Rey of Vermont, Peter Rey and his wife Jennifer of Methuen, Peter (Robert) Rey, of Woburn, Mercedes Rey of Woburn and Pedro J. Rey of Woburn; his siblings Mercedes Smith and her husband Wayne of Woburn and Roberto Rey of Woburn, his beloved grandson Josiah Rey as well as all of his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Memorial Mass on Thursday, September 24th at 10 AM at St. Veronica’s Parish in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St. Burlington. Burial will follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association