Wilfredo "Sonny" Flores' Obituary
Wilfredo “Sonny” Flores, formerly of Willingboro, NJ, passed away on May 8th, 2025, at the age of 78.
Born to the late Raymond “Guado” and Edith (nee Dowell) Flores on December 4th, 1946, in Salinas, Puerto Rico; arriving to the United States a couple of years after his birth and settling in The Bronx, New York. Sonny is the beloved brother of Lucia (Paul Samuels) Sabater, Shirley Flores, the Late Nadalia “Tiny” Flores, Carlos Flores, the Late Raymond Flores, Renaldo “Nat” (Sharon) Flores, the Late Noel (the Late Delvita) Flores, and Nancy Flores. Growing up, the family lived on Patterson Avenue, then on Webster Avenue in The Bronx where the family played musical instruments and formed a family band, with Sonny playing base. As a teenager, Sonny was a part of a doo-wop singing group called “The Jokers” where they would sing doo-wop throughout the neighborhood and become life-long friends. Sonny attended Morris High School as the graduating class of 1964. While living in The Bronx, Sonny became friends with his neighbor down hall, the Late Joyce Ann Dodson Flores. Joyce and Sonny became inseparable, going on to be high school sweethearts and marrying shortly after graduating high school. Joyce and Sonny spent a loving 53 years together until Joyce’s passing in 2020. The couple shared their love by welcoming their nine loving children into the world, Diana, the Late Ivy, Lisa, Michael, Thea, David, Philip, Bessie, and Christopher. As a family, they enjoyed spending quality time with one another and creating memories, having family parties full of live music and laughter, field trips to amusement parks, and family vacations to Bluefield, West Virginia. Sonny loved being the father of his children and was always present for them, he showed his sons what it meant to be a family man and his daughters how a husband and father should behave.
With many children to take care of, Sonny went on to work for The United States Postal Service, where he made a life-long career for himself beginning at Murray Hill Post Office in mid-town Manhattan, New York City. As his children were getting older, Sonny and Joyce moved from The Bronx to Ocean Village in Far Rockaway, Queens; 1 block from the beach. The family spent many summers on the beach, as Sonny loved to swim in the ocean and go fishing. He played minor league baseball for several years with long-time friends and colleagues. Shortly after the loss of his daughter, Ivy, Sonny and Joyce decided to settle in Willingboro, New Jersey, where they purchased their first house. He later transferred to Willingboro Post Office until his retirement after a dedicated 40 years of service.
During retirement, Sonny kept up on his favorite New York sports teams, The Yankees, The Mets, NY Knicks, and The NY Giants. He found peace enjoying family get togethers, playing basketball with his kids and grandkids, watching wrestling with his sons, and supporting his devoted wife. He enjoyed playing the lottery and had several large winnings he shared amongst his loved ones and always put his family first. Sonny passed peacefully with his family at his bedside playing gentle music. He leaves behind his eight remaining children, each carrying a piece of his spirit and lessons in their hearts. His legacy extends beyond them, touching the lives of his cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, siblings and friends, all of whom were blessed by his kindness, humor, and guidance. Through shared stories, laughter, and the values he instilled, his influence will endure, woven into the fabric of family traditions and memories that will be passed down for years to come.
Sonny will be remembered fondly for his family values and devotion, his humble, gentle personality, light-hearted sense of humor, hard work ethic, and kindness to everyone. Though he is gone, his love remains, ever-present in the lives he touched and the hearts he forever shaped.
Relatives and friends are invited to Sonny’s viewing on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, from 10am – 1pm. Sonny will be reunited with his beloved wife, Joyce, in Morgan Cemetery in Cinnaminson, NJ, immediately following the viewing. The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support.
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