Esiquio Piña Jr.

Esiquio Piña, Jr., was born May 22, 1943 in Weslaco, Texas to Esiquio Piña, Sr., and Delia Piña. He passed from this life November 24, 2022 in Tampa, Florida at the age of 79. He had lived in Tampa since 1968, moving from Texas. Mr. Piña was of the Catholic faith.

He enlisted in the US Marines in March of 1964, serving active duty for three years. He was a Vietnam Combat Veteran and earned the following declarations: Purple Heart, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marksmanship Badge Rifle and Good Conduct Medal. He completed his Reserve Service to the U.S Marines, in March of 1970.

Mr. Piña was an accomplished Hunter, Modern Gun, and Archer. He was a very good Carpenter, Welder, and an expert in Fiberglass-Structural Design. He officially retired in 2012 and his most recent passion was development, design, and fabrication of the Iconic Cobra Jet Kit Car.

Mr. Piña was preceded in death by his father, Esiquio Piña, Sr.; mother, Delia Piña; wife, Carlmon Elizabeth Piña; and nephews, Victor Ojeda, and Chris Piña. He is survived by his son, Esiquio James Piña and wife Jocelyn Ann Pina; grandchildren, Elizabeth Piña, Megan Muneeb and husband Ahmed Muneeb; great-granddaughter, Nadia Muneeb; siblings, Richard Piña, Johnny Piña and wife Diana, Mary Ojeda, Bobby Piña and wife Brenda, Roy Piña and wife Linda; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Eulogy for Esiquio Piña, Jr. (a.k.a. Chico, and My Dad)

For many who know my Dad, knew him as Chico. If you knew him, You’d recall that he was a quiet person, not flashy and not arrogant. Many may have thought that his quiet demeanor made him a very serious person.

My Dad was a quiet man, but also kind, capable and always willing to help a Friend or Family. He loved sports: Football, Baseball, and later Hockey. Dad really loved football. While in school, he played Football for Leander, he was an Offensive Guard. Tough and dependable, very fitting. Interestingly, some 30 years later, while I lived in Leander, I played football with Leander, my position on the offensive line, the Center.

An iconic snapshot in time for me happened when I was 7 or 8 years old in Tampa. My Dad and I would often go to see the Farm-League Baseball teams, at the time, it was the Tampa Bay Tarpons and the Miami Marlins. One warm evening we were at the park, watching a game and a fly-ball was hit right at us; we all stood up to reach for and catch the ball. In a moment there was cheers and jeers. Dad had caught it bare handed! My Dad gave me the ball and I was certain my Dad was a super-hero.

As I grew, my Dad would always include me in the projects. I became my Dad’s journeyman and learned to work with Fiberglass, Automotive repair, plumbing, roofing, and lots of carpentry.

But it wasn’t all work, far from it, we did lots of hunting, fishing, and boating. One year, maybe I was 11, I got a min-bike for my birthday and the next year a Dirt Bike!

Later in life, I better understood the path my Father’s life had taken. I knew he worked hard, wanted nothing given, expected only what he earned. I learned he volunteered to be a U.S. Marine, when the draft for the Vietnam War was calling. Dad served honorably and earned many badges. For me the gravity of what happened in that time, for my Dad and thousands of young men, became apparent when I attended a Reunion in Washington, DC. It was great to see these men, who now had adult children and grandchildren, reconnect. All these men, without exception had paid a price for each one of us, selflessly.

My Dad lived and instilled in me a discipline and a sense of fairness and humility. These are the gifts I am eternally grateful for. Thank you, Dad.