Marco Antonio Cardenas

Marco Antonio Cárdenas October 01, 1938 – July 04, 2017             Born the afternoon of October 1st, 1938, in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, to Guadalupe and Virginia Cárdenas. He was the second youngest of 10 surviving children. He was born in a time when everyone in the family worked to help each other out.             One of Marco’s first jobs was at age five. He was responsible for taking his blind father, Guadalupe, to collect glass bottles to recycle at the local pharmacy. At age 10, Marco began his formal education. He completed grades first through sixth in only four years of schooling. Marco was an outstanding math student. His older sister, Mercedes would say that he would win tickets to the children’s matinee in Saturday afternoons for his outstanding achievements. At age 14, Marco began working construction as a mason tender, until age 18.             At age 18 in 1956, Marco came to the U.S. to work for Contreras Mexican Tile Company, where he was a tile layer. The company sponsored Marco for his American work permit.             In 1962, Marco met the love of his life. Maria Teresa Ruiz, at a dance at Porfidio Diaz ballroom. The first song they danced to was, ‘Cuando dos Almas se Querien.’ And from that moment on, Marco and Teresa were inseparable. On March 20th, 1964, Marco and Teresa married.             In October 1965, Marco and Teresa welcomed their first daughter, Ana Isabel and that same year, Marco applied for his permanent residency in the U.S.             In September 1970, Marco and Teresa welcomed their second daughter, Luisa Catalina. This same year, Marco took his family on their very first vacation to the beaches of San Diego.             From 1965 – 1973, Marco worked for Tucson National Golf Course as groundskeeper. His highlights from working there were meeting Bob Hope, Dean Martin and the Gold Diggers and especially hanging out with Lee Trevino. In June of 1973, Marco’s supervisor went to work for Pima County Parks and Recreation and took Marco along with him.             In the summer of 1973, Marco began to work for Pima County Parks and Recreation, which he continued to stay for 30 years. Within those years, Marco worked at many places with in the county, like Old Tucson Studios, Ft. Lowell Park and Manzanita Park.             In 1978, Marco and Teresa welcomed their third daughter, Maria Teresita. Marco also started working permanently at Manzanita Park. Working at Manzanita Park for 15 years was one of Marco’s greats prides. His park was voted park of the year for many years. In 1981, Marco became the first Pima County Parks and Recreation employee of the year.             In 1987, Marco took tremendous pride in becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States of America.             Shortly after, Marco’s expertise at Manzanita Park took him to assist in the startup of both Cardinal and Lawrence parks. Due to health reasons Marco took a leave of absence in 1993. It wasn’t until 2003 that Marco officially retired.             Throughout the years, Marco’s pride and joy was welcoming ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He spent most of his retired years attending many school functions, graduations and especially baseball games. The children always knew and looked forward to seeing him cheering them on.             Marco loved pineapple; empanada’s, pies and pineapple upside down cake. His favorite team was the Los Angeles Dodgers and he attended a game at Dodger’s stadium in 1988, when the Dodger’s won the World Series. He loved to tinker around the house and on cars. He taught his three daughters how to maintain their vehicles and also how to plaster and paint their houses’. He enjoyed listening to Los Panchos, the Rat Pack and dancing. Although he was a quiet man, he was a character who would mimic Cantinflas, El Chavo del Ocho and El Chapulin Colorado which would make his family laugh.             On the afternoon of July 4th, 2017, Marco took his last breath here on earth and his first in heaven and joined all of his loved ones who went before.             Marco will be dearly missed by his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Maria Teresa Cárdenas. His 3 beloved daughters and 1 beloved son in-law. Ana Isabel, Luisa Catalina, Maria Teresita and Jerry Jones Jr. He will also be greatly missed by his loving ten grand children: Marita, Maricella, Clarissa, Diego, Angelica, Aaron, Jerry, Alejandra, Marco Antonio and Gabriel. As well as his seven great grandchildren: Desirae, Joshua, Danny, Jesus, Araceli, Johnathan and Era. He is also survived by his older sister Carmen Cárdenas and his beloved niece, Maria Lourdes.               We will love you always Papi!