Ciro Fernando Peña

away peacefully on June 7, 2023 in Rome, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his

parents, Jesus Peña Benavides and Genoveva Cantu Peña, his loving wife, Jean Horrigan

Peña, his sons Robert and John Peña, his brothers Hector A. Peña and his wife Esperanza

Gutierrez Peña, and Diego J. Peña, and nephew Tulio R. Peña. He is survived by his son,

Ciro Thomas Peña, his partner Shannon Rose and granddaughter Sara Kish. He is also

survived by his brother Tulio L. Peña and his wife Maria de la Luz, his niece Judy Lujan

and nephew Diego Peña, and several more nieces and nephews.

Ciro was born on December 2, 1926 in Dilley, Texas. He grew up in Laredo, Texas, and

attended Laredo Junior College and Texas A&M University studying engineering before

joining the Army in 1944. Assured by recruiters that he would serve as an engineer, the

Army sent Ciro to the Pacific to serve as a rifleman—much to the dismay of his

mother! Ciro spent approximately two years in post-war Japan. After being honorably

discharged, he returned home to complete his engineering degree at Oklahoma A&M

(what is now Oklahoma State). In 1952, Ciro started working for General Electric in

Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he met a beautiful young secretary named Jean. They

married in 1953 and moved to Rome where Ciro was an electrical engineer in GE’s

manufacturing facility. They lived in Rome for the remainder of their lives, where they

raised three sons, Ciro Thomas, Robert, and John. Ciro retired from GE in 1994.

Ciro loved to travel, especially to visit family in Massachusetts, Texas, and New

York. Ciro loved to dance with Jean, and they could often be found cutting a rug at the

American Legion. They were active members of St. Mary’s Church. Throughout his life,

Ciro served in several parish ministries, including the Parish Finance Council. He served

on the St. Mary’s Board of Education as a member and chairman. In his later years, Ciro

devoted one day a week as part of the grandfather volunteer service group for St. Mary’s

School. He was also a charter member of Knights of Columbus Council 4410, where he

served as Grand Knight for two years, and was member of the Fourth Degree, Assembly

2639. Ciro was also an avid golfer.

In addition to being active at his church, Ciro was active civically. He was a member of

the American Legion, the 40 & 8, and served as secretary of the board of directors for the

GEAA Country Club. He also served on the board of directors of the Network Day

Service Center. He was very proud to have received an Award of Honor for being one of

the leading Roman Citizens in 2006.

Ciro’s warm smile and quiet unassuming personality will be missed by everyone. Ciro

was proud of his military service during World War II and truly loved his Church and

Parish. A viewing will take place at Daniel’s Funeral Home, 901 East 2nd Avenue, Rome,

GA at 10 am on Monday, June 12. A Rosary will follow at 11 am. A Funeral Mass will

be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at St. Mary’s Church, 911 N. Broad Street, Rome

GA at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in the name

of Ciro and Jean Peña to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or St. Mary’s School in Rome, GA