In Loving Memory of Don Raúl Velazco Ibarra

1958 – 2026

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Raul Velazco Ibarra—a beloved father, loyal friend, and pillar of the greater Houston community and beyond. Writing this is emotionally devastating, and we ask for your grace and understanding as we honor a man who meant so much to so many.

Raul was known far and wide for his masterfully blended cigar brand, Mafia Time, and his landmark shop, Hoyo De Cuba (“The Jewels of Cuba”). But to those who truly knew him, the real jewel was not the cigar—it was Raul’s uplifting soul. A proud Cuban, Raul carried his heritage in every laugh, every handshake, and every smoke shared in conversation. For him, the cigar was never just a cigar; it was a means to connect, to build community, and to create moments of genuine friendship.

Born Hoyo de Manicaragua, Cuba, Raul came to the United States in 1999 in pursuit of the American dream. He brought with him joy, love, and an irrepressible Cuban spirit. Before his journey into cigars, he was a sound engineer in Havana—a man who knew how to lift everyone’s spirit. He was also a gifted chef, eventually opening his own restaurant. His uncle had opened the first cigar shop in Houston, and Raul followed that path, pouring his heart into Hoyo De Cuba and educating countless people on the true understanding of cigars. 

More than anything, Raul was a true friend and a kind soul. He helped so many people—quietly, compassionately, and without ever wanting recognition. He did good in the shadows, asking nothing in return. His smile was a gift, his friendship a refuge.

Raul leaves behind his adoring daughters, Gladys and Daddyrak; his caring wife, Carmen, a loving mother-in-law who held him as a son; and a rest of family. His loss leaves an un-fillable void, but his spirit—his warmth, his laughter, his Cuban heart—will live on in every shared story and every gentle curl of cigar smoke. 

We know that so many of you knew Raul. Please hold his family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Services and arrangements will be shared shortly. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you light a cigar, share a story, and be kind to someone quietly—just as Raul would have done.

“The jewel was never the cigar. It was Raul.”