Louis J. Perez (68) passed away on January 31. He was director of marketing at Port Canaveral (1987-1996) and helped build up its cruise business, and was subsequently deputy director at the Port of Palm Beach (1996-2000).

He also held various positions with shipping and freight lines and started his own company, Cove Marine Assoc., consulting other companies and niche ports.

Perez won multiple awards in his work and earned a Master’s Degree in transportation from SUNY Maritime College in New York and a Bachelor’s Degree from Long Island University.

He was born in Camaguey, Cuba, and came to the United States when he was five years old with his mother and father. They settled in New York City.

Perez is survived by his wife Margie, his daughter Cassandra and three grandchildren, Julien, Audrey and Maxwell, many friends and extended family.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 2 pm at the Levitt – Weinstein Memorial Chapel at 8135 West McNab Road, Tamarac, FL 33321.