MAMBERTO VALENZUELA URIARTE

MAMBERTO VALENZUELA URIARTE

Apr. 12, 1926 - June 9, 2013

Mamberto Valenzuela Uriarte, 87, of Calexico passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2013 of natural causes at Promise Hospital in San Diego, surrounded by his family.
Mamberto was born on April, 12, 1926 in Gerome, AZ. Mamberto Uriarte was a proud farmworker and family man. He worked the fields of California, in Salinas, Gilroy, Stockton, Bakersfield, Watsonville, and the Imperial Valley, for over 35 years. Mamberto served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a soldier. He met and married Mercedes Cadena, from La Paz, Baja California, in 1953. They immigrated to the U.S. permanently and raised three children together, Norma, Bertha, and Roberto Uriarte. Mamberto had a strong yet compassionate character, which helped him become a man who led by example. He was a solid, reliable father, very dignified and hard working, a good provider, and a man of his word. He was an independent thinker who did not follow the masses. In his dealings with people, he was firm but fair. He was a humble man, but very proud of his Mexican culture. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, music, good food and family gatherings. Mamberto enjoyed working with his hands, doing carpentry work, fixing things and making inventions at home. He was able to salvage old things and put them to new use. He was a no frills type of man who drove a blue pick-up truck with no air conditioning, even in the summer time. Although he did not have formal schooling, he was a man blessed with common sense who gave great advice. Many came to him during a crisis or a time of need because of his generosity. He enjoyed reading the newspaper, discussing politics with friends and family, and keeping up with current events. He became more liberal and progressive as he became older, which amused his granddaughters very much. He had a unique sense of humor, used when you least expected it. He will be missed by all who knew him. His legacy will be his work, his family, the lessons he taught us, and the memories we made together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Balthazar and Camila; brothers, Julio, Melton, and Felix; sisters, Aurora, Valeria and Angela; nephews, Ernesto Lopez and Armando Vela.
He is survived by his wife, Mercedes Uriarte, daughters, Norma Uriarte Moreno and Bertha Uriarte; son, Roberto Uriarte; brother, Emilio (Lupita) Uriarte; sister, Rafaela (Raul) Uriarte; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Service will be held on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers Mortuary in Calexico.
The family suggests memorials go to American Cancer Society. Please sign the guest book online at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ivpressonline