Estanislao Torres Lona

He was predeceased by his wife Maria Jesus “Chuy” Lona and is survived by his children: Carmen, Javier, Sonia, Rosa, Joaquin, Rebecca, Irma, Stanley, and Denise; siblings Camila, Nicolas, Maria, and Paz; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family and friends.

Our father was the humble and hardworking owner of El Triunfo Bakery & Tortilleria for over thirty years. Tanis helped and inspired many through his perseverance. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Papi que descanses en paz y siempre estarás en nuestros corazones.

Services will be held at Funeraria Del Angel South Lawn, address, on 5401 S. Park Ave, Tucson AZ, 85706.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Visitation is from 9am -10am, then rosary and funeral services are from 10am -12:30pm. After the services, family and friends are invited to gather at El Mesquite Salon, located at 7130 S Nogales Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85756.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelSL.com for the Lona family.

Estanislao "Tanis" Lona's journey began on May 7, 1941, in Guanajuato, Mexico, where he was born into a family of eight sisters and seven brothers and was raised by his parents, Juan and Paz, on a family ranch.

Tanis made the bold decision to relocate to the United States in his twenties, driven by the desire to chase the American dream. Armed with nothing more than the clothes on his back and an unwavering determination, he embarked on this new chapter in his life, despite not knowing how to speak English. These challenges never discouraged him from his goal of becoming a business owner.

In October 1978, Tanis married Maria "Chuy" Lona. Together, they brought three daughters into the world, Rebecca and Irma (fraternal twins) and Denise. Tanis also had two sons, Joaquin and Stanley, from a previous relationship, while Maria had four children from her previous marriage. Together they raised a blended family of nine children: Carmen, Javier (Bianca), Sonia, Rosa, Rebecca (Aaron), Irma, Denise (Lance), Joaquin (Irma), Stanley (Hilda). Tanis’s life was further enriched by the arrival of grandchildren Krystal, Daniel, Ashly (Will), Sanaya, Victoria, Taylor, Kassandra, Andrew, Jorden, Cynthia, Joaquin, Andrea, Selena, Mateo, Mila and great-grandchildren Kamilla, Dominic, Mateo, Avery, Landon and Rio.

During his time in Tucson, Estanislao mastered his skills as a baker, working for various bakeries, dedicating over a decade to the University of Arizona as a baker. Eventually, he saved enough to realize his lifelong dream of opening an authentic Mexican bakery, which he named El Triunfo Bakery and Tortilleria. This endeavor demanded relentless hard work, dedication, and sweat, but Tanis overcame many obstacles. In the summer of 1989, the bakery opened its doors on 6348 S. Nogales HWY, bearing the name "Triunfo," which translates to "triumph" in English, and gave a sense of hope to their family. Tanis passionately baked Mexican bread and pastries daily, and within a few years his wife joined him by sharing her family’s flour tortilla recipe. As business improved, they expanded to include their award-winning Mexican hotdog buns and tortilla chips. For over three decades, until he retired, El Triunfo Bakery thrived under Tanis's dedicated leadership. The bakery continues to bake authentic Mexican pastries and tortillas to serve and honor the Tucson community.

Beyond his culinary talents, Estanislao possessed a great sense of humor and quick wit. He had a profound love for Mexican music, particularly the compositions of Alfredo Jimenez, and was a self-taught guitar player. He sang classic Mexican songs at public events and family gatherings. His solid work ethic and determination in the face of countless challenges inspired both family and friends alike. His life is a testament to the power of persistence and the pursuit of dreams, leaving an enduring legacy of inspiration for all who had the privilege of knowing him.