Jorge Arnulfo Velez Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jorge Arnulfo Velez passed away unexpectedly on February 20, 2018. Jorge was born in Napa, California on January 28, 1972. He moved to Maui nearly thirty years ago, starting out at the Hard Rock Café in Lahaina. Jorge grew up in the food business, with his great-grandparents opening the first Mexican restaurant in the Napa area. His incredible work ethic and dedication to making the best food with simple ingredients led Jorge and his wife Jenna to open Taqueria Cruz in 2008. Taqueria Cruz grew from a modest hole-in-the-wall to one of the most celebrated Mexican restaurants on Maui, with rave reviews from respected chefs and tourists alike. Nearly everyone who visited TC commented on the gregarious owner with the deep voice, who was quick to share a story and become a friend over one of his signature burritos. Jorge embodied the Aloha spirit; if someone couldn't afford to pay, he offered a spare taco and understanding word. Jorge is survived by a large and loving family, including his wife, Jenna Velez (Mann), sons Victor Cruz and Cisco Leyva, mother Deborah Moussa (Barragan), father Jorge Velez, stepfather Salah Moussa, sister Cassandra Torento (Velez) and her husband Raymond, and sister Zaynah Moussa-Milward and her husband Julian. Jorge's family scattered some of his ashes in the waters off Kalama Beach, so that he'll always be a part of his beloved Maui. Jorge was larger than life, and he will be dearly missed.

Jorge Arnulfo Velez

January 28, 1972 - February 20, 2018