Onofre Jose Duran-Rodriguez

Onofre Duran, of Gardena CA passed away at the age of 76 on Monday, October 18, 2010 in Torrance, with his family and friends by his side. He was born June 12, 1934 in Guadalajara, Mexico. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Maria De La Luz, his daughter Leticia, his sons Jose, Luis, Ricardo, and Sergio and his daughter in-laws Karina, Claudia, Frances and Lupita, his niece Rocio, 7 granddaughters, Erica, Alyssa, Joanna, Joei, Sofia, Breanna, and Christina, 12 grandsons, Robert, Derrick, DeMarco, Sergio, Devin, Ricardo, Donovan, Isaac, Isaias, Israel, Luis, and Lucas. He was never late to any event, not even work. In 2000 he retired from Honeywell, as a Machine Operator.

Onofre had an enlarged heart beating at 15%…he was given 6 months when he found out and survived another 3 ½ years. He was full of life and never gave up always fighting the big fight, never complained. He lived each day to the fullest. Onofre had a "Golden Heart". He was the sweetest, kindest man you would ever come across. He loved to help people, he always took in stray cats, and dogs even a little chicken who was losted in the neighborhood. He would give you his last dollar if you needed it; he was selfless and never worried about tomorrow. Onofre loved to make friends, make people laugh, and he had a nickname for everyone. He had nicknames for his kids, his grandkids, everyone. He enjoyed going to the farmer's market every Thursday, in Redondo Beach Pier, going to the Casino's, Alondra park to feed the ducks, and going out to eat with his grandson DeMarco, going to Redondo beach and being outdoors. He loved going to the Long Beach Grand Prix. Onofre's hobbie was collecting caps, he always wore caps, and hats. He had a green thumb, always planting fruit trees in his backyard, and planting chilles. He was a jack of all trades, and loved having BBQ's with family and friends; he was always up for a party. Onofre loved dancing with his grandkids, and always exercised and encouraged all his grandkids to exercise with him. Onofre enjoyed listening and watching baseball, and the news, he always carried his little grey portable radio If you couldn't find him, you could always hear his radio, everywhere he went his little radio was sure to follow. Onofre loved listening to Mexican ballets. Onofre gave his family a lifetime of happy memories, and will be greatly missed as a husband, father, son in-law, grandfather, uncle and friend.

"Apa, we all love you dearly. You were our Hero, Mentor, Pillar, Rock, and most of all the Patriarch of the Duran family."

God only takes the best....now that you are an Angel, please continue to watch over us, guide us, protect us and keep our family united.