Frank Marquez

He was born to Gregoria Cortez Marquez on November 10, 1934 in a farm workers camp in Waukena, CA. He was the youngest with 5 brothers Guadalupe (Guadie), Juan (John), Salvador (Salvie), Pablo (Paul) & Elias (Lee) and 2 sisters (Delores & Jessie). Frank had many entertaining stories about his family and friends growing up in that rural Tulare County community and he recalled them in great detail—often down to which way the roads curved—when recounting them to his children.

In his youth Frank played football at Corcoran High School and at Antelope Valley Junior College. He served in the army for two years most of that time near Frankfurt, Germany and another four as a reservist stateside. He met his future wife, Christine Mena, at Hammond’s Bakery in Corcoran, CA where she worked at the time and after they married it was with her encouragement and his determination that in the early 70’s he was able to finish his college education at Fresno State. With the help of the GI bill and the old Royal typewriter his father-in-law donated to the cause he was the first in his family to graduate from college. This was one of the many ways that he and Christine modeled for their children the value of higher education and tenacity. The way they lived their lives modeled integrity, hard work, generosity, great love of family, storytelling and fun. At the age of 73 he retired from his job with the State of California where he worked as a teacher and pre-release counselor for many years.

Frank (Pop or Daddy to his kids, Buelo to his grandkids) was deeply loved by his family and the many stray animals he took in as pets. His loving presence and dad jokes will be sorely missed especially at the big annual Christmas gatherings he and Christine hosted for over 25 years and at the annual family vacations on the central coast he so enjoyed. The glove compartment of his car, but not his wife, will miss his collection of random napkins. His cats will miss his attention. He is survived by wife Christine, son Dr. Ron Marquez of Fresno, daughter Sandra Marquez of Chicago, daughter Laura Marquez (Darren Borg) of Santa Clarita and son Lorenz Marquez (Cynthia) of Costa Mesa; and also, by the lights of his life—his adored grandchildren Victoria, Valentina, Vicente and Emerson, Marcel & Dae. He is also survived by brother Lee (Helen) of Hanford and many loved nieces, nephews, godchildren and in-laws.

Rosary will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9 at Stephen’s & Bean Funeral Chapel,

202 N. Teilman Ave, Fresno, CA 93706 (Masks & social distancing required; Max 50 people)

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 5770 N. Maroa Ave, Fresno CA 93704 (Outdoor Mass, masks and social distancing required; Max 100 people)

A reception & celebration of life will be held at a date yet to be determined but post COVID limitations.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his name to any of his favorite charities listed below.

Valley Animal Center— https://valleyanimal.org/donate-now/

Disabled American Veterans—http://donate.givedirect.org/?cid=779

Catholic Charities of Fresno—https://ccdof.networkforgood.com/projects/39521-catholic-charities-of-the-diocese-of-fresno

To see a recording of the Mass of Christian Burial held for Frank, please use the following link:\

https://vimeo.com/510967914

Password: Marquez