Higinio N. Covarrubias

TOLEDO: Higinio Covarrubias, 85, died August 17, 2009 after a long period of illness and suffering. Higinio was born in Laredo , Texas January 11, 1924 to Domingio and Herlinda Covarrubias. He married Anita Garcia May 25, 1947 in Toledo, Ohio.
Higinio Covarrubias worked for 43 years as a punch operator at Acklin Stamping and was a proud member of UAW Local 14 until his retirement in 1985.
During the late 1950's and 60's he was active in the American G.I. Forum, an organization that worked for the educational and economic advancement of Mexican Americans. After retirement he was involved in the fellowship ministry at Good Shepherd Catholic Church where he was a member for more than 50 years.
As a way to help raise his large family he began a photography business that catered to the Mexican American community in Toledo and surrounding areas. For more than 35 years Higinio, along with his wife, photographed hundreds of weddings and Quinceaneras. From birth to death they recorded milestone occasions for literally hundreds of families, some for several generations. Mostly self-taught he kept up with new techniques and even entered the digital age with the help of their sons, Philip who died in 2005 and Miguel who died in 2002.
Higinio was always there for family members; he was adept at home improvements and loved family gatherings, gardening, passers-by would often stop and comment on the lovely yard.
Left to mourn his passing along with his wife, Anita are his sons, John (Desi) of Portland, Higinio Jr. (Linda) of Kansas, Patricio (Sandra), Arturo (Alesia) of Toledo; daughters, Mary (Gumersindo) Mata, Delores (Jose) Mata of Toledo, and Herlinda Teresa (Amir) Abrashami of Los Angeles; and daughter-in-laws, Rose Covarrubias, Lillian Covarrubias; 42 grandchildren; and 34 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sons, Miguel and Philip Covarrubias; granddaughter, Isabella Covarrubias; great granddaughter, Delia Sercy; brother, Jesse Navarro; and sister, Trinidad Covarrubias both formerly of Fremont.
Visitation will be Thursday 2-9 p.m., with Rosary services at 7 p.m. at Eggleston Meinert Pavley Funeral Home, 440 South Coy at Starr, Oregon. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m., Friday at Good Shepherd Church, 550 Clark St., followed by Mass at 11 a.m.
The family gratefully acknowledges the care and compassion provided by the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, and Central Toledo Dialysis Center.
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