Antonio Jose Cisneros

Antonio was born on May 10th, 1943, to Alberto and Nelley Cisneros in La Paz. He came to the United States in 1963 to attend California State University in Los Angeles. After graduating in 1967, he returned to La Paz and began working at IBEAS (Instituto Boliviano de Estudio y Accion Social) where he met Maria Teresa De Alencar. From 1968 to 1971 he taught sociology at the Universidad de San Andres in Bolivia. He returned to the US in 1971 to attend Chicago University and graduated with a master’s degree in 1972. In 1973 he founded CIS (Centro de Investigaciones Sociales) where he partnered with organizations such as the UN and USAID on socio-economic programs and research with the aim of, among other things, reducing neonatal mortality. In 1976, he again returned to the US and went on to earn a PhD in Sociology at UCLA in 1980.

Upon graduation, Antonio moved his family to Ecuador where he was a Project Coordinator for a social project with the indigenous people of Ecuador. He moved back to Bolivia in 1982 and while continuing his work with CIS, Antonio began teaching at the Catholic University in Bolivia and the Bolivian Army and Naval Academies where he received numerous awards and honors for his service. He retired from CIS in the early 2000’s and continued teaching until his retirement in 2010.

After retiring, Antonio spent much of his time traveling the world, often visiting his grandchildren. He was an avid collector of music and movies. Antonio was an animal lover who rescued many creatures – cats, dogs, ducks, macaws to name a few- throughout the years. But his love of his children was surpassed buy his devotion to his grandchildren.

Antonio and Maria Teresa De Alencar were married on January 2nd, 1969. Together they had three children: Antonio Marcelo Cisneros, Sandra Teresa Madigan (Patrick), and Roxana Teresa Cisneros (Alfredo Mendoza).

Antonio was predeceased by his parents, Alberto and Nelley Cisneros, and his older brother, Luis Alberto Cisneros. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Maria Teresa, his children Antonio Marcelo, Sandra Teresa and Roxana Teresa, his grandchildren Jose Antonio, Paulo Ignacio, Juan Mateo, Maura Teresa, Sean Patrick, Isabel Andrea and Sofia Alejandra, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral services will be held at San Jose Catholic Church on Thursday, May 27th 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Visitation will take place from 3:00 to 4:00 in the church chapel.