It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Marcus Gilbert Elisarraras on October 14, 2019, of complications from pneumonia, at French Hospital, surrounded by his wife, all five of his children and most of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was 80 years old.
Born September 21, 1939 in Creston, Ca. Max (as he was commonly known) was raised in Paso Robles from the time he was a toddler to now at the place he dubbed “El Rancho de Los Siete Vientes” (The Ranch of the Seven Winds) a sarcastic take on how windy it always seemed to be out there, which annoyed him greatly! He loved Paso Robles, loved living out in the country, and loved being with his family and friends.
Max went into the army during the Vietnam War, but was extremely lucky to be in one of only two units after basic training to be sent to Korea instead of Vietnam at the height of the war. It was something he felt guilty about his whole life. Later, he would serve almost 15 years in the Air Force Auxiliary maintaining his rank of Sargent in the Civil Air Patrol.
Once back in the states he met Carmelita Ortega Robinson when his brother, Johnny, and her sister, Frances, took them out on a double date. After a few dates he decided this was the lady he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They married shortly thereafter. .
Max and his brothers and sisters were very musical and loved playing together when they got the chance. He was involved in several Country & Western bands throughout the years, but he was really proud of teaching his eldest son, David, three chords on the guitar and watching him take off from there. Later, he involved all five of his kids in a family act that played at various places around the SLO county.
Besides his love of country music, he loved to create miniature dollhouses and doll furniture - modeling them after current architectural styles of the time. He even created a miniature fully functioning reclining chair. His dollhouses and furniture were the rave and would sell out faster than he could make them.
After that he created humorous rock frogs, and in doing so had another highly sought after treasure in those. Later he would create ceramics and due to his articulate painting and skill, would result in many requests and many blue ribbons from the Mid-State Fair.
Max was also a Civil War buff, and had collected many things of that era he loved to “show and tell” to those who asked about them.
Max worked for Paso Robles High School District as the grounds keeping person, and he loved preparing the field for game days, afterwards he worked as a job coach for Options Family Services for almost twenty years, and really enjoyed helping people get back on track, it brought him much joy.
But, he would say that his greatest achievement is his family. He loved having his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren around him. He was famous for nicknaming all of them, but his nicknames were so popular among the family even non-family members would ask him for a nickname from him and he would happily oblige.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Carmen Elisarraras, his children, David Robinson (and his wife, Leah Robinson) and Zedina Godfrey, all of Atascadero, James Robinson and Marty Elisarraras, both of Paso Robles and Tomás G Robinson of Glendale, Ca. His nephew Gilbert Arebalo of Santa Barbara, and his grandchildren Samantha White, Sara Robinson, Stephanie Kakuk, Christina Cleveland, Joseph Godfrey, Jesse Robinson, Melissa Robinson, Andres Sanchez-Robinson, Anthony Elisarraras, Christopher Elisarraras and Tasha Nelson, his goddaughter/niece Annette Sanchez and several other nephews, nieces, and great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his mother Cecilia Elisarraras Gutierrez, his father Joseph Elisarraras, his stepfather Reyes Gutierrez, his brothers Tony, Isador “Molly”, Salvador and Johnny Elisarraras and sisters Inez Arebalo and Mabel Garcia. His loving grandson Alex Sanchez-Robinson and his loving niece Vera Arebalo, and his Nephew/Godson Ted Elisarraras, among many others.
He will forever be remembered, loved, cherished and celebrated by his family who miss him so much already.To a wonderful husband and father – go with God and smile down and watch over us for forever.
Rosary:
Chapel of Roses
3450 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca 93422
Friday, October 25th
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Service:
Santa Margarita Cemetery
606 E Pozo Rd
Santa Margarita, Ca 93453
Saturday, October 26th
10:00 AM
Celebration of Life Reception
Paso Robles Youth Art Foundation
3201 Spring Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Saturday, October 26th
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
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