Antonio J. Reñazco, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed into eternal rest on December 16, 2011 in Houston. He was born in Managual Nicaragual October 9, 1926. He died from congestive heart failure. On October 9, 2011, his 85th birthday, many close friends and family joined him to celebrate his life.
Antonio was preceded in death by his parents, Esmeralda & Jose Antonio Reñazco of Managua; brother John B. Reñazco of New Orleans; and sisters Esperanza Lambert and Norma Arguello of Los Angeles CA.
He was devoted to his family and leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife of 43 years, Marjorie; son Dr. Marco Reñazco and wife Melanie; daughter Michelle and husband Terry Edwards; and grandchildren: Roman, Lillian, Baron and Giovanna Reñazco; and Jackie, Natalie and Kyle Edwards; a sister, Argentina Roddy of Miami FL and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Antonio grew up in Managual Nicaragual attending La Salle Catholic Schools where he was an Altar Boy, the drum major of the band and an avid soccer player. After high school he went to New Orleans, LA to attend Loyola University in pre-engineering. He went on to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester MA to complete a B.S. Degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
His first engineering job was
at Buffalo Forge Company in Buffalo NY. In 1952 he moved to Caracas, Venezuela, to work at Tecnomat and later at Creole Petroleum as an engineer.
In 1960 Antonio became Commercial Attache to the Nicaraguan Embassy in Caracas. In 1965 he was named Consul General of Nicaragua in New Orleans LA. One highlight of his career was when he accompanied his uncle, President of Nicaragua, Rene Schick, on a Presidential trip to Europe in 1966. They attended an audience with the Pope, a formal dinner with General Franco, and visited Spain, Israel and Portugal.
Antonio met Marjorie in New Orleans LA. They married in St. Louis Cathedral September 7, 1968. He was transferred to Houston in 1969 as Consul General. In 1972 Antonio left diplomatic service to go into private business. In 1988 he joined Allstate Insurance as an agent. In 2000, after his first heart surgery, he retired.
He has been a member of the Institute of Hispanic Culture in Houston, serving as President two terms and other positions over the past 40 years. One event of the IHC he loved was the Noche De Las Americas Gala where he and Marjorie loved to dance.
In 1978 he founded the Houston Chapter of The Granaderos & Damas de Galvez, an historical group to promote knowledge of the role Spain and Bernardo Galvez played in assisting the United States in its war for independence. Antonio has served several terms as Governor General for the group which has traveled to Madrid for several audiences with HRM Juan Carlos King of Spain and in May of 2011 an audience with Don Felipe, Prince of Asturias, son of the present King.
Antonio and Marjorie were founding members of the West Houston Italian Club and shared happy times at the meetings, dining out as a group, and playing cards with friends. He also was a member of the Old Geezers Poker club where he enjoyed camaraderie with friends.
Antonio was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church where he and Marjorie began serving as ushers in 1979.
He and Marjorie traveled worldwide, often with close friends, on cruises and to many countries. Traveling was their favorite hobby.
Antonio touched many lives in his time and will be greatly missed.
Visitation and rosary will be at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 6646 Addicks-Satsuma Road, Houston, TX 77084 at 10:00 am on Tuesday December 20, 2011 with funeral mass at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Heart Association.
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