June 5, 1927 – July 2019
Norberto Resendíz Correa passed away peacefully into paradise on Thursday July 11, 2019 at the age of 92. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather. He was a resident of El Paso Texas and Retired from ASARCO after 38 years. He is preceded in death by his parents Esteban Correa and Maria Del Refugio Resendíz Correa, wife Josephina A. Correa, daughter Lolita Correa, son-in-law Raymond Villanueva, grandsons Victor, Joey, Eric Porras, great-great-grandson Malique Armendariz. He is survived by his sons Jose Correa, Guadalupe Correa, Julian Correa, Norberto Correa Jr., Ricardo Correa, his daughters Josephina Delgadillo, Angela Villanueva, Maria Dolores Correa-Pizaña, Susana Porras, Rosa Rodriguez, 5 sons-in-law, 5 daughters-in-law, 41 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren, his sister Margarita Adame, sister-in-law Esther Contreras, and several nieces and nephews.
Beloved by many, he was known for his dedication to his family and his love of life. He was a devoted Son who was proud of his Correa surname, his parents, and his rich Mexican heritage. He was affectionately addressed by many as “Jefe”, “El Rubio”, “El Manteco”, and “Don Beto”. Dad was born on June 5, 1927 in Juárez y Reforma, Guadalupe, Chihuahua. Dad was the descendant of strong parents who married in Jerez Zacatecas and migrated to the valley of Juarez Mexico. The first recorded year of entry by Dad into the United States is 1929 at the age of 2 in Fabens Texas accompanying his parents who worked on one of several large farms in the Fabens area. Dad grew up ranching and riding horses through the open spaces of the El Paso/Juarez Rio Grande valley. Dad loved riding horses and he named one of his favorite horses “Borracho”. Dad regularly, and proudly, recounted stories of his experiences riding through the open El Paso/Juarez lower valley. It’s the experiences during these horseback rides and the close bond with his parents that molded Dad into a hardworking Husband and Father dedicated to his Catholic faith and his values of Integrity, Humility, and Respect.
In 1945, Dad met the love of his life at a local town dance in Fabens Texas. As recounted by Dad, it was love at first site when he spotted her from across the hall. He went on to marry Josefina Angel and they started a family working on Surratt farms where they lived until 1957 before moving to Ysleta Texas and later to El Paso Texas on May 29, 1962. From then until his retirement Dad worked to provide for his family, working double shifts and through holidays when needed to maximize his earnings. Dad was a leader and mentor to many younger ASARCO employees. During various strikes Dad worked as a Longshoreman in Long Beach CA. He often volunteered to unload munitions off freight ships because it meant earning hazardous duty pay and helped support his family. Working alongside the love of his life, they weathered hardships and family tragedies and made a home for their growing extended family. Though faithful to his Mexican heritage, he was equally proud of his adopted homeland. As a proud and generous employee of ASARCO he worked to ensure that families of fellow ASARCO co-workers who suffered the loss of a loved one were always taken care of, sometimes at his own expense. Though not eligible to serve, he volunteered to fight in the Korean War. His patriotism would later be exhibited by his Sons’ and Grandsons’ service across the world in all branches of the Military during times of peace as well as during wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. These years in Dad’s life are examples of two additional values that were instilled in him early in life, Honor and Loyalty.
After retiring from ASARCO in 1989, he walked 5 miles a day. Having lived in the same neighborhood for 27 years he was often greeted by neighbors and friends as he took his daily walks. He loved to work on his yard, and he spent the next 8 years enjoying retirement with the love of his life until her passing in 1997. After loosing the love of his life, he continued to honor her and lived a social life while always remaining true to her. He continued to lead his family, stay active, and spent his remaining 22 years of life with his children. He remained strong and independent until his passing often sharing memories, giving advice, and comforting his family. He often expressed joy in how far and wide his offspring had carried his surname to places like Saudi Arabia, New York City, New Jersey, California, Philippines, South Korea, Germany, Vietnam, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Dakota, Seattle and countless other places. During these last years is when Dad displayed his most endearing value, Compassion.
Dad was a strong man with a larger than life presence who could command a room the minute he walked in. He earned the respect of countless people through the actions he modeled. He was a firm believer in doing business with a handshake and humility. In his later years of his life Dad had two simple goals: 1. Remain independent 2. To live in his home of 57 years. He loved and lived life to the fullest. His unrelenting faith in GOD was his compass and it allowed him to approach life without fear and to trust that anything was possible through GOD. His passing will leave a void in our family’s heart and all those who knew him, but his story will continue to be told through his future generations. He is dancing with Mom in heaven now in the presence of the Heavenly Father, surrounded by those who have gone before him, and hearing the words “Well done my faithful son”. There is no doubt he is looking over us with a smile on his face and in usual fashion throwing his hands up in the air and saying “Ni modo Mijos, Adelante”.
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