Edgar Vinicio Villenas

A joyful person who loved to tell a good joke, Edgar Vinicio Villenas passed away peacefully on January 31st, 2020, at the age of 82, following a hip fracture and many years of courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He took his last breaths surrounded by family in Claremont, California. Edgar Vinicio was born on November 9th, 1937 in Calacalí, a rural parish of Quito in Ecuador, to Anita Calahorrano de Villenas and Miguel Villenas. His family moved to Cotocollao, another parish closer to the city, during his teen years. As a young man, he worked several jobs that fueled his adventurous spirit. In particular, he enjoyed telling stories about working for a French bakery and driving through the winding streets of Quito to deliver bread in the early morning hours. He also worked as a private chauffeur in the city. In November of 1964, he immigrated to Los Angeles where he reunited with his then wife, Hortencia, and started a family. He took delight in the Ecuadorian dance, music, and food shared at get-togethers with the Gavela family. Ecuador always lived in his heart. He found work in the garment industry, eventually opening a garment cutting business with a friend in downtown Los Angeles. While still learning English, he earned his General Education Diploma in the City of La Puente, and then his Associate’s degree from Mount San Antonio College in the City of Walnut. His charming and easy manner made it easy for him to make a living selling cars before he retired. Loved as a father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend, Edgar Vinicio is survived by his children, Mark Villenas of Montebello, Sofia Villenas of Ithaca, New York, Fabian Villenas of Fontana, and Dony Villenas and Sondor Villenas, both of Long Beach. He left twelve grandchildren, Adrian, Savannah, Jazmin, Atzin, Anthony (Tony), Giancarlo, Alejandro, Marcel, Sebastian, Lana, Thor, and Santiago; and a great granddaughter, Emiliana. He is also survived by his siblings, Pablo Villenas of New York City, Mery Parra, Amparo Cardenas, Marco Villenas and Marlene Villenas, all of Quito, Ecuador; his daughters- and son-in-law, Isabel Alvarado Garcia, Vanessa Villenas and Troy Richardson who shared many good times with him; his many nieces and nephews; and his former wife and special friend, Hilda Hortencia Villenas Gavela who is the mother of his three oldest children. He dearly loved the Gavela family in California and Ecuador. He is preceded in death by his father and mother; and his brother, Eduardo Villenas of Chicago.

Family and friends will celebrate the life of Edgar Vinicio Villenas during a memorial service on Friday, February 14th at 11am in the Chapel at Oakdale Memorial Park and Mortuary in Glendora. A hosted lunch will follow at a nearby restaurant. Edgar Vinicio loved fun and fiesta, and he liked to dress up. Please feel free to come dressed to reflect his love of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association to help fight Alzheimer’s disease with research and caring support.