Marcelino Vera

Marcelino Vera
Marcelino Vera, the remaining son of one of the first Mexican American families to settle in Pomona Valley, passed away at his home in La Verne, California on October 12. He was 98 years old. Born in San Dimas California, Marcelino was the son of Valentin Vera and Maria Paez Vera. Marcelino married the love of his life Mary Regalado in December 1943, who also came from a pioneer San Dimas family. On December 6, 2015, Marcelino and Mary celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary with children and numerous grandchildren and grandchildren. San Dimas historians noted that Valentin and Maria Vera were the first family of Mexican American ancestry to settle in San Dimas, around 1910. Marcelino's father was a foreman for Southern Pacific railroad and, after retirement, worked in the citrus Industry, and bought several acres on what is now 4th Street in San Dimas. Marcelino's family still occupies some of the land. Marcelino attended local schools and following World War II operated a barbershop for several years in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles. He relocated his business to San Dimas in the mid 1950's. For nearly 40 years he operated "Marcelino's barbershop in downtown San Dimas. His son Roger now continues the business.
Marcelino was active in San Dimas civic affairs and served on several city committees and commissions. He was one of the founders of the San Dimas Little League. In 1955 he was called upon to serve on the task force to create the Holy Name Parish when the Catholic parishes of San Dimas and La Verne were combined into one parish. He remained active at Holy Name all his life. In addition he is one of the original incorporators of the Latin American Golf Association that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in Southern California.
In the 1970's Marcelino took on the role of working with the athletic teams at Cal Poly Pomona and for 10 years assisted the Cal Poly football, basketball and baseball teams as equipment director. His interest in sports carried over to his passion for golf and he eventually became a single handicap player, spending occasional weekends playing in golf tournaments throughout Southern California until his retirement from his barbershop and golf at the age of 84. When he was not playing golf, he and Mary enjoyed traveling. They had the opportunity to visit Europe and Mexico on multiple occasions and also made several road trips to the East Coast to visit family members.
He is survived by his wife Mary, their five sons and their spouses: Ronald (Christina), Gabriel (Carol), George (Margaret), Roger (Lorraine) and Joseph (Carolina) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. His brothers Rosendo, Pilar, and two sisters Ramona Lindsay and Lucilla Lopez predeceased him. He also leaves behind his close nephew Patrick (Priscilla) Lopez, who was like a brother to him, and many other nephews and nieces along with numerous relatives from Durango and Chihuahua Mexico.
In lieu of flowers, friends are urged to make donations to the charity of their choice.
Services will be held on Tuesday evening at Todd Chapel at 6:30 p.m. and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated in his memory at Holy Name of Church on Wednesday October 18 at 10 a.m. Burial services will follow at Forest Lawn. A memorial reception for family and friends will be held at San Dimas Canyon Golf Clubhouse from Noon to 5pm.