Salvador A. Marquez; War Veteran, Welder

Salvador A. Marquez, a Saticoy resident who devoted time to helping neighborhood children build and repair bicycles, died Sunday. He was 72.

Marquez was born in Saticoy on Jan. 27, 1925. He served as a special vehicle operator in Guam during World War II. Upon returning home, he worked first as a truck driver and then as a welder. He retired from Wallace Machinery Co. in Oxnard in 1973.

Neighbors and family members frequently benefited from Marquez’s green thumb.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, he grew orchids, roses, begonias and bromeliads. He also raised cockatiels and finches, loved playing chess, checkers and poker, doing crossword puzzles, and was known for his barbecue. After he retired, Marquez spent time with local children, talking about success and motivation as he helped them build and fix bicycles.

Marquez is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bertha, of Saticoy; daughters Rose Marie Castro of Oxnard, Linda Reyes of Maryland, and Barbara Morales and Darlene Klucker of Ventura; sons Robert and Thomas of Ventura, and John of Oxnard; sisters Emma Arroyo and Mary Reynoso of Saticoy; 20 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.