Sr. Ignacio M. Reveles' Obituary
When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, remarkable man who, with faith and discipline, soft spoken humility and amazing inner strength, led a very courageous life. This description accurately fits Ignacio M. Reveles who was indeed a born leader. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with Mexican American traditions “old school” morals, Ignacio was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Ignacio knew him as a well-respected man who shared personal stories about his own relative’s to give words of wisdom.His parents were Francisco Reveles and Eluteria Martinez. Ignacio was raised in Durazno, Zacatecas Mexico. Ignacio became a migrant laborers at age of twelve and was entirely self educated leader of , as the child of Mexican American laborers’, he spent his early years in a succession of migrant camps, attending school only sporadically. Even as a youngster, Ignacio learned to be objective and decisive. He proved through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice. His Catholic faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with strength throughout his life.As a young boy, Ignacio was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, teaching with words of wisdom. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Ignacio was raised with Eight siblings. His sister’s by the names of Liandra, Francisca, Felicitas, Antonia, Maria, Josefina, Victoria with one brother named Ismael. Ignacio had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Ignacio, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.Ignacio’s matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Ignacio enjoyed playing baseball and marbles. In his spare time he liked guiding the cattle herd. Later in life, Ignacio’s memorable achievements included providing food for his family.Ignacio was sociable and approachable, a good listener. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships. Friends and family seek him for comfort and encouraging with enthusiasm stories of their own relatives, Ignacio had a good sense of humor, with entertainment through songs he sang to all that gather to listen. Enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Ignacio was a member of a group, his interaction never excluded others, he kept everyone involved. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Ignacio came to expect his high standards of performance. All his close friends, he grew up with, have been close throughout his life.An objective and conscientious individual, Ignacio reveled in the security of his family. One of Ignacio’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.In April 3, 1960 he married Margarita Caldera, in Calera Zacatecas, a hardworking housewife, waited on him with an enormous love. As all marriages had their up’s and down’s, however treated each other with love and respect. Spent almost 50 yrs of marriage with sympathy, understanding and encouragement, she had his love, affection and companionship. Ignacio was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Ignacio would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Ignacio was blessed with three sons and four daughters, Manuela, Soledad, Vicente, Antonio, Oralia, Francisco and Dometila. They were also blessed with twenty three grandchildren, Esteban, Maria Elena, Roberto, Ernesto, Ismael, Joel, Maggie, Christina, Carolina, Angelica, Elias, Marcela, Jeronimo, Yesenia, Veronica, Emily, Emanuel, Mark, Adrian, Isaac, Isabella, Elisa and Gabriel.In 1967 Ignacio came to live in San Pedro, California to work for Van Camp Sea Food Company, as fish cannery shipyard worker employed for twenty years. In 1976 company moved to San Diego California, and this time settled in San Diego. Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Ignacio was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Ignacio was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his co-workers. In both his personal and professional environments, Ignacio upheld his standards. Ignacio was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”Ignacio approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were spending time with grandchildren and family at the beach swimming in the ocean and gardening. Ignacio was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Ignacio to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. Recreational sports included baseball. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Top on his list was baseball, with his sons.His Catholic Faith was important to Ignacio. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. “We are justified by FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our HOPE of sharing the glory of God. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s LOVE has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Romans 5: 1-2, 5)He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe for thirty years.When Ignacio’s retirement finally arrived in 1984, he was well prepared. He used his evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. In retirement, he found new pleasure in gardening. In many ways, Ignacio loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.Ignacio passed away on December 31, 2009 at his home. Ignacio fought a brave battle against cancer and kidney failure. He is survived by his wife Margarita, six sisters, seven children, twenty three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Services were held at St. John of the Cross, Lemon Grove, California. Ignacio was laid to rest in Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, California.All who knew him would agree that Ignacio was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Mr. Ignacio M. Reveles did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.Last words of advice, from Ignacio M Reveles were “Be Strong, like a rock, in Life!”
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