Marco T. Calderon

Marco was born and raised in Calacali, Ecuador and was the son of Daniel Calderon and Baltazara Ceron de Calderon. Marco’s life was one filled with selflessness, love, compassion, duty and faith in God. At 5 years of age his father died and he became known as el “maridito” or “little husband” to his mother. Mr. Calderon worked hard to pay for his own schooling. He graduated from Colegio Lasalle and from Universidad Central in Quito, Ecuador. Mr. Calderon also served in the Ecuadorian Military, Las Guardias Nacionales while attending University. For thirteen years, he worked for El Banco Nacional and then for La Caja Nacional del Seguro Social in Quito as an accountant.

He met his wife, Maria Lopez de Moncayo, in Pasto Colombia and they were married in 1958. Determined to provide a better life and opportunities for his children, they decided to move to the United States. Marco emigrated to the United States in May 1965, he started a new life in Chicago Illinois. He spent two years assimilating to a new culture, language and finding work. His sacrifice and determination those 2 years made it possible to bring his wife and 4 small children to the United States. He worked a series of jobs before starting his career with the Chicago Transit Authority in 1967 from which he retired in 1998. Through the tremendous change and sacrifice that characterized his life and love for his family; his courage and his desire to see them well and happy were constant. Anyone who met Marco will remember his unconditional love for those around him, the compassion to listen to the needs of others and willingness to help selflessly.

He is survived by his children son, Mario (Patti Murray); his son Fabio; his daughter Alba (Paul Orzeske); his son Marco R. (Ana Calderon); and six grandchildren, Lauren Calderon, Brandon Calderon, Christopher Orzeske, Madeline Orzeske, Gabriel Calderon , Michael Calderon , his sister Etelvina Perez and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Maria Moncayo de Calderon, his brothers Antonio Calderon and Daniel Calderon. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.lustgarten.org) appreciated.