- He was the timbalero (timbales player) who began playing the instrument while standing in front of an orchestra. Before Puente, timbales had always been played from a seated postion in the rear of the orchestra.
- Father of television news anchor Audrey Puente (works for local NBC station in New York City). She has also worked as a meteorologist for WCBS-TV in New York City.
- Father of singer Tito Puente Jr..
- Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2001.
- He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1997 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C.
- He was posthumously awarded a star on the Union City Walk of Fame at Ceila Cruz Park in Union City, New Jersey on June 5, 2005.
- His son Richard "Richie" Puente (died 2004 of complications following an assault) was a member of the musical group Foxy, which had a major disco song in 1978 with "Get Off" (Dash 5046). The song spent two weeks at #1 on Billboard's R&B charts and went to #9 on the Hot 100 pop charts.
- Along with Mario Bauza, Machito and Dizzy Gillespie, Puente was responsible for the continued popularity of Afro-Cuban originated Latin jazz well into the later 20th century.
- He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 14, 1990.
- Pictured on one of five nondenominated USA commemorative stamps honoring Latin Music Legends, issued on 16 March 2011; price on day of issue was 44¢. The other stamps honored Carmen Miranda, Selena, Carlos Gardel and Celia Cruz.
- Following his death, he was interred at Saint Anthony's Church Cemetery in Nanuet, Rockland County, New York.
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