I knew Mr. Provencio many years ago, when he was my teacher at Harborside Elementary and a Sunday school teacher at the Baptist Church. He was a wonderful teacher, a disciplinarian and expected the best from his students. I remember him fondly and have photos of him as Grand Marshall of an Imperial Beach parade.

Dear friends,
I know this message is late to dear Mr. Provencio but I wanted to leave this message here. Mr. Provencio was my 6th grade teacher at Harborside Elementary. He was one of the first teachers that ever inspired me. He taught me to always set the bar high when it came to academics, because he didn’t settle for less from his students. He taught me my first poem and had us memorize literature beyond our grade level. I was going through a lot of rough patches in my family when I was in his class and he spoke to me and told me that I was more than my circumstances and that I was going to become something truly great. Because of Mr. Provencio I went on to become a teacher as well and will be completing my coursework to become a principal next year. If I could say a few words to him today I’d say this, “Mr. Provencio thank you sir, for teaching me to believe in myself and to never settle for less than I deserve in this world. Your rigor and ways of carrying the educator torched changed my life and many others as well. I will carry your torch now and hand it off to other students as well. We will miss you Mr. Provencio. You changed this world for the best!”

-Sara Kende, Harborside 1990s

My family and I were saddened to learn about Mr. Provencio’s passing. He was our 6th grade teacher at Harborside Elementary, and a long-time mentor and friend. My siblings and I can still recite the poems he taught us and often remember all of the ways he taught us to be smarter and caring students. I will always remember and am super grateful he hired me to help with his classroom preparation  over the summer of my senior year before I went to UCLA. When he paid me, he told me the money was to help me focus on my studies during my first year and not have to work. As a first generation student who had no clue what college would be like this made the world of a difference. Mr. Provencio was also a mentor to my parents who were immigrants and didn’t speak English. He helped them understand the importance of our education and I truly believe his mentorship was the reason my siblings and I ended up earning doctorates and becoming educators. He was an incredible person and I am super grateful he was in our lives and that we were able to learn so much from him!

I am at a lost for words.. for some reason Mr. Provencio just popped up in my thoughts, as he has throughout the years.. I decided to look him up and came across his obituary… first & foremost my condolences to all who were close to Lorenzo. He was my 6th grade teacher at Harborside Elementary and one heck of a teacher that I will never forget.. I never got to thank him for all he had done, but he left a lasting impression on my life… what an awesome person he was.. I was so lucky to have been taught by him.. he will never be forgotten. God bless you Lorenzo and thank you for being so good to all your students, thank you for caring about all the children you taught

I always wanted to thank Mr. Provencio, I waited too long, he was my 6th grade teacher in 1975, he changed the course of my life, my condolences to your Family.   Ernesto Carignan. 


Many years ago I used to work as a Recreation Leader After School Program at Harborside Elementary. I remember Mr. Provencio as being very dedicated to the health and well-being of the students there.  I believe that made a difference for generations of students.

Hello,

My name is Consuelo and I was one of Mr. Provencios students. He was my 4th grade teacher back in the late 1990's at Harborside Elementary. He was the teacher for my older brother, my two aunts, and knew my mother very well. 

He was one of my most memorable teachers who always taught my class manners, etiquette, penmanship, and much more. He would buy me a egg sandwich from McDonalds at least once or twice a week since I was at school so early in the mornings. And we would have breakfast and would assist him with preparing the classroom. 

He also tried to teach the class how to sing "Doe a deer, a female deer... rain a drop of golden sun... me a name I call myself.." 

He would reward us with pizza, and icecream parties when we earned it. One of the most funniest moments we had in his class was when he had us dance to the Macarena and showed us all up.

I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for your loss and my mother just found out he passed. I wish we knew before or we would have paid our respects sooner .

Wish you the best,

May & Mulhbach Families 

I recently came across my 5th grade “diploma” in Square Dancing that was signed by Mr. Provencio :). Decided to look him up to share with him - am very sad to hear of his passing. To his family members, he was one of the few teachers in my life that I can remember who truly cared for us students. Much love to the family 💜❤️

We have always been so proud that an accomplished and talented person such as Lorenzo has been a friend and neighbor to our Lyon, Hiles and Smoot families all of our lives in Imperial Beach. I am so sad to hear of his passing. Rest in Peace, dear friend, as I know you are singing with the angels in Heaven, and rejoicing with all of our family and friends who went before us. God bless the Provencio family during this difficult time. With much love from Ginny Lyon Lovell

I met Lorenzo during the Community Hospital Capers performances.  What an awesome voice this man had.  And he was so much fun during practices.  We practiced every night for a month, so we got to know everybody very well!!  He was so kind to everyone.  I knew he was a teacher, but I was long past stage of my life.  He loved his daughter so much and always brought her over to show her off.  He will be missed by so many people.  My condolences to his family.  Bless you, Lorenzo!

Mr Provencio,
Rest In Peace. You were my 4th and 5th grade teacher. You taught us to enjoy music and the art of singing . To this day, my best joy in life is to sing songs with my grandkids (and I still remember the ones you taught us) It definitely takes our mind off everything and makes us smile and laugh. 
My condolences to the family and friends who held you close to heart. 

Mr. Provencio, 
Thank you for teaching me to love school. You were the first teacher I had who truly cared for the students who were in your class.  I will always remember you in my heart. 

Rest in peace Mr. Provencio, and thank you for never giving up on me. I learned so much from you - especially that I can do anything I put my mind to.

This man was stern but loving.  He cared about every student and their future.  People make fun of me for my cursive,  but my cursive is beautiful because of the countless hours of tracing over the alphabet that Mr Provencio required each morning.  He shaped many lives in many ways.  I love you Mr Provencio

Lorenzo did a lot of performances with my Mom, Helen Pierce... a dance teacher in Chula Vista. 
I included a newspaper article... there were 2, but it only lets me post one of them.  
Lorenzo was a kind and gentle man. 

“All gave some, some gave all”...Although death is part of life...We are living the life others gave us...Lorenzo Spirit will never be forgotten...Lorenzo’s teachings, conversations, or training was shared with numerous people, and in essence Lorenzo spirit will continue for generations...Lorenzo, a “warriors-warrior” from the neighborhood, from Korea, from the classroom, to family, friends, and associates of numerous organizations, such as the National Latino Peace Officers Association...Stay Healthy, Be Safe, 
Gods Speed to all...
...Art Moreno 
A Friend 

Mr Provencio,
I dont even know where to begin...I remember how you would call us his corazones. You were not only my teacher, and mentor but you believe in your students.  It was a honor to be your student and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Provencio was not only a great teacher but also a role model, and family friend. I was blessed to be in his 6th grade class at Harborside following in the footsteps of my two brothers and two sisters who were also his former students. Mr. Provencio helped mold me into a leader and always taught the importance of giving back to those less fortunate and to the community... from safety patrol to how to produce a newspaper...to proper etiquette and poetry to line dancing and community service. Thank you Mr. Provencio for believing in me as a young man and for your service to our country, our greater community, your students and my family. You will be missed by the Rorabaugh family. May you rest in eternal paradise, sir. Thank you

Sorry to hear about the lost of my Uncle Lorenzo.  He was always a loving and caring uncle and teacher.  He also took care of my family when I was young and my dad was deployed overseas.  I will miss Uncle Lorenzo dearly, but I know he is finally at peace with our Lord, my dad, and the rest of his eternal family.  Rest In Peace Uncle, and May God always bless you.

OBITUARY

Lorenzo Provencio

January 25, 1934 – December 19, 2019

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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