Veljo Tanimae

12/16/37 - 12/1/24

Vel passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday Dec. 1st, 2024, at the age of 86.

Devoted and beloved husband of 52yrs to his "honey" and love of his life, Mary Louise "Eloise" Tanimae, amazing father to sons Paul and Patrick, loving father-in-law to Valerie and Amy, doting and proud Grandpa to his 5 grandchildren Alanna (15yrs), Valencia "Leni" (11yrs), Alyssa (10yrs), Vida (8yrs) and Patrick (5yrs), predeceased by his sister Heli Tanimae-Hudson and her husband John, and survived by his younger brother Dr. Tarmo Tanimae and wife Carol of Oviedo FL., in addition to in-laws Pete and Trudy Cimelli of Oradell NJ., and many nieces and nephews.

Vel lived a life to be celebrated and admired.  Born in Tartu Estonia in 1937 to Ernst and Linda Tanimae, they were forced to flee in 1944 with his younger brother as the Russians invaded their homeland.  They made their way to a displaced persons camp in Germany where his sister Heli was born, with the family remaining until 1949 when they were brought to America by Seabrook Farms, given housing and jobs.

On arrival in the US, Vel spoke no English and had to begin school two grades back.  The first two words he learned in English were "Sit up!" as he was constantly reminded by the girl sitting behind him in class as he
slouched in his seat bored with the arithmetic lessons because he had a great mind for numbers.  He quickly became proficient in the language, and demonstrated artistic ability as well having his drawing of the "Bulldog" chosen as Bridgeton High School's mascot still seen today.

After high school graduation he enlisted in the US Army for four years attaining the rank of Captain, and upon his honorable discharge he began working at Jantzen Swim Wear Company in NYC putting his talent for numbers to use as a Purchasing Manager of textiles.  His sharp mind combined with his gregarious nature made him an invaluable asset to the company and always popular among his colleagues, never without a smile, clever joke or comment.

Fate however would soon intervene, bringing a newly hired secretary to Jantzen and working just two floors down from Vel's office, Mary Louise Cimelli.  Vel somehow always found a reason to visit Mary Lou's office, he would greet her, compliment her appearance, and often make a teasing joke.  Not long after Mary Lou was hired, the Design Department was transferred to LA which was already staffed with secretaries, so Mary Lou was moved up to be Vel's secretary and he no longer had to invent
reasons to visit her.

They began dating and two years later on September 2nd, 1972 they married in NYC.  Two weeks after returning from their honeymoon in Aruba, Vel was offered a lucrative new job in home furnishing textiles in Chicago.  They moved that weekend, finding a penthouse apartment on Lake Michigan and next to the John Hancock building.  In 1974 they moved to Naperville Illinois and had their first son Paul.  Two years later they decided to return to New Jersey, with Vel once again changing careers to become a Sales Manager at Metropolitan Insurance Co..  They built their home in Upper Deerfield and not long after welcomed their second son, Patrick in 1977.

After retiring from Metropolitan he continued in sales working for Zep, an industrial and commercial cleaning supplies company.  He finally retired for good in 2009 becoming a Grandpa as Pat and Amy had their first child Alanna.  Mary Lou retired shortly after finishing 27 years as a secretary at Cumberland Regional High School and they both helped raise Alanna and her newly arrived sister Alyssa in 2014.  The Tanimae family continued expanding as Val and Paul welcomed their daughters Valencia in 2013, and Vida in 2016, then Pat and Amy added the 5th and first male grandchild in 2019, Patrick. Vel and Mary Lou also always had pets, beginning with "Pu-Pu Ujku" a sweet little Lhasa Apso, then "Poco" a cute Shitzu, followed by "Freeway" a poodle and loving little soul who was blind and rescued by them in the middle of busy intersection in Vineland, then "Sadie" a lovely little Australian Cattle dog, and now with "Daisy", again a sweet Australian Shepherd mix always ready to snuggle. There have also been some cats along the way as well, with "Princess", then "Stormy" (found in a storm drain), and "Felix" (also blind).

Aside from loving their family and pets, Vel and Mary Lou also loved enjoying life's simple pleasures together, such as reading, with Vel loving spy thrillers by Tom Clancy, Dan Silva, and  John Griffiths, and Mary Lou voraciously devouring any and all murder mysteries she can find.

Sundays specifically were enjoyed with them both doing crosswords, going to the diner for breakfast, and Dad giving Philly sports teams a hard time for underperforming, particularly the Eagles.  Summer Sundays, a family tradition unbroken for over 50 years continues with all the Tanimaes making the short trek to 59th street in Ocean City NJ to enjoy the sun, sand, and water, while the kids continue growing up making memories that will endure a lifetime.

A few more words about Vel….he could fix anything, and I mean anything, a great aptitude and appetite for understanding how things work, he loved Volkswagens and had many VW Bugs and Vanagons over the years, often up on jack stands while lying underneath turning a wrench.

This skill set mostly skipped Paul but he passed this talent to his youngest son Patrick who's a whiz with building and fixing things.  He loved tech, a true techno-file, embracing and employing all manners of gadgets and such that delighted him and frustrated his wife because tech and Mom don't mix.

He also never complained, ever, despite life dealing him his fair share of challenges, and more than that over the last few months, but you wouldn't know it in talking with him, his primary concern was that everyone else was ok, and then he would simply carry on doing the necessary work.

His family was his number one priority.  He loved his wife and children truly and deeply.
Through his daily actions he taught us to work hard, don't complain, do what you say you're going to do, and that a good leader eats last.  He gave us a roadmap on how to love our wives and be fathers to our children.  His love for his wife was unflagging, their romance of over 52 years was a testament to the strength of their bond in marriage, and it's a love affair that continues in eternity.

Dad your absence is huge but your love for us is bigger and our love for you equal.  One day we will all be reunited again, and until that time we will continue to honor your memory by following your example of how to navigate this life on earth.  We will always love and miss you.

The family is holding a small memorial service for Vel on Sunday December 15th at 1pm

Northville Estonian Lutheran Church
128 Old Burlington Road
Bridgeton NJ 08302

The family request Donations be made in Vel name to  ASPCA Official Site https://secure.aspca.org

Memories and condolences may be shared @ancscremation.com