Gregorio Pena Ceballos Obituary
Gregorio Peña Ceballos entered into an everlasting slumber and was peacefully born into eternity on Saturday, November 28, 2020, in the comfort of his home in Elkridge, MD.
Lovingly known as “Rey”, “Machimbe”, and/or “Caballo”, Gregorio constantly reminded his family and friends, “Life is not just living - it is knowing HOW to live it.” And live it to the fullest -he did!
Born on June 10, 1956, in El Mamey Ariba, Dominican Republic to Juan Peña and Luisa Peña (née Ceballos) - he was 1 of 9 siblings. Naturally, there was never a dull moment in the Peña household and more-so after that summer Sunday, in which “Reysito” made his grand entrance into the world. When he wasn’t playing pranks with his favorite cousin, Jose “Rumaldo” Ceballos; he was chasing the love of his life Angela Minaya (four years his junior) from classroom to classroom. Much to the professor's dismay- considering they thought they got rid of the notorious prankster and class jokester when he graduated out of that grade. Little did everyone (except him) know that he would later go on to marry her over a decade later. The childhood crush and dreams of earning her heart would be unceremoniously interrupted when the Peńa family moved to the United States in 1976. Settling in the Lower East Side, the glitz and glam of the Big Apple-coupled with his tenacity, could not deter Gregorio from his true love. They wrote letters and sent pictures to each other by way of Angela’s grandmother and Gregorio’s mother. Finally, in 1979, he traveled back to his home country, to ask Angela’s family for her hand in marriage. On July 28, 1979, he married his betrothed, in Santa Barbara Catholic Church, in La Torre, Dominican Republic.
On May 7, 1980, the newlyweds welcomed their first daughter Rosa Angela Peña. In 1984, the couple and their small family unit moved to the suburbs of Perth Amboy, NJ. On January 14, 1986, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Arlene Peña. On that very same day, Gregorio received his driver’s license. On June 21, 1987, Rey celebrated his Father’s Day welcoming the best gift anyone can ask for - his first and only son, Danny Peña.
During the 20+ years that the Peña family lived in Perth Amboy, NJ - Gregorio had various jobs as a laborer in all kinds of fields, from restaurants and country clubs to textiles and manufacturing. He also managed to convince all three of his children that they were millionaires without wants or cares in the world. Every day of his life, he would go around collecting loose change. He would then convert his collection into dollar bills and would give his collection to the less fortunate, here at home and abroad while on vacations. A tradition that will be extra special this year, because his family found his “Bag for the Poor” under his bed. It is appropriate that his nickname was Rey (King in Spanish), since the Three Kings, leave treasures under your bed every 6th of January. He didn’t mind spending his last dollar to ensure that if Rosa wanted Pizza, Arlene wanted wings, and Danny wanted McDonald's - they each got their preferred meal. Even if it meant driving to three different places. Every summer they would get “new” bikes that together they would customize. Later in life, he would reveal that he would purchase
the bikes at a junkyard and would paint and restore the bikes anew. Let’s just say his children know how to find and patch a hole in a tire with nothing more than a bucket (or mom’s pot), water, and Krazy Glue. He would wake them up at the crack of dawn, with the sounds of banging serving spoons against - yes, mom’s pot and go on adventures to beaches and out of state visits to Connecticut and New York. The man had no GPS or Mapquest and could get anywhere with a swift scratch to his head, a moment of thought, perseverance, and his cadence “Virgen de Altagracia protégenos déjanos llegar” (Virgen Altagracia protect us and may we get there). In the middle of New Jersey blizzards, even if our family car was trapped under 4 feet of snow - he would walk door to door handing out invitations to his daughter’s birthday party. His love for his wife and children knew no bounds and it was unequivocally reciprocated. On February 1, 2014, all three children banded together to purchase Rey his very first “new car” as a surprise, and as a token of appreciation for all he had done. In February of 2017, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. All three children and his wife rotated around the clock to be by his bedside and nurse him back to health. His eldest, Rosa, received the honor of being dubbed his “favorite nurse,” after taking three weeks of leave to care for her father and ensure a full recovery. In June of 2019, Rey retired early from working 15 years at Cantwell Cleary LLC to care for his youngest grandson, Adonis, while Arlene worked. On May 14, 2019, Gregorio Peña Ceballos, proudly became a citizen of the United States, after living in the US as a Permanent Resident for 43 years. On October 30, 2020, he had the honor and pleasure of voting for the first time.
Gregorio is survived by wife of 41 years Angela “Tera” Minaya. Continuing his legacy are Rosa “Rosy” Peña (Daughter), Angelique “Gigi” Lara (Grandaughter), Angel “Nono” Lara (Grandson), Arlene “Lyla” Peña (Daughter), Adonis “Neno”/“Rubio” Peña-Kara (Grandson), Danny “Papo” Peña (Son), Daylin “Princesa” Peña (Granddaughter), Emberlin “Chiquindola” Peña (Granddaughter).
Enjoy heaven Papi, say hello to Grandpa Juan, Grandma Luisa, Uncle Biembe, and Tia Luz for us. We know they love having you home, as much as we loved having you here.
Sion Papi,
Your Three Babies
