Enrique Diaz

To everyone around Enrique, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Enrique, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions.

Enrique was born on March 3, 1937, at the family home in Santa Maria de Otay, Durango, Mexico. His parents were Ricardo Diaz and Julia Nuñez. Enrique was raised in San Miguel del Cantil, Durango, Mexico. Even as a child, Enrique had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him.

Enrique was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Enrique managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Enrique was raised with 12 siblings. He had 11 older siblings, Guillermo, Elpidia, Rodolfo, Carmen, Matilde, Luis, Maria, Socorro, Leonor, Ceasaria, Ricardo, and one younger brother Francisco. Enrique was orphaned at a very young age of 11 years old.

Enrique never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Enrique to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends and family. Enrique utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up his best friends were his brothers and sisters. Enrique loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Enrique very easy to approach. On May 24, 1962, Enrique exchanged wedding vows with Francisca Cisneros at a Civil Ceremony inTijuana, Baja California, Mexico. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Enrique related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Enrique was blessed with Nine children, 5 sons; Luis, Jesus, Mario (Deceased), Robert, and Armando; 4 daughters; Julia, Norma, Rosa, and Veronica. Enrique had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed.

At work, as in life, Enrique was a real “people person. ” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Enrique liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Enrique was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Enrique's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Enrique as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was a Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic/Foreman. He was employed for 31 years by Arnaudo Brothers in Tracy, California.

Enrique enjoyed his leisure time visiting with family. His favorite past times were playing Poker, Conquian (Rummy), Billiards, reading the newspaper, and walking.

Naturally outgoing and generous, Enrique was regularly doing things for others. For him, the gift of giving to others was second nature.

Favorite vacations included traveling to Mexico to visit family which included trips to Durango, Mexico; Guadalajara, Mexico, Culiacán, Mexico, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Enrique was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Enrique's favorites was Kaiser, a German Shepherd dog.

Enrique believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 1999, Enrique took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Enrique remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he continued to find pleasure in reading and walking and spending time with his family.

Enrique passed away on July 14, 2010, at Parkside Special Care Center in El Cajon, California. Enrique fought a brave battle against Alzheimer's Disease. He is survived by his wife Francisca; his children Luis, Jesus, Robert, Armando, Julie, Norma, Rosa, and Veronica; his grandchildren Christina, Jose Luis, Cesar Jr., Jennifer, Katherine, Kimberly, Kristin, Michelle, Jesus Jr., Joseph, Anthony, Jasmine, Amanda, Nicholas, Anissa, Robert, and Eric; his great grandchildren Eric and Esmerelda; his brothers Ricardo and Francisco; his sisters Leonor, Socorro and Cesaria; sons-in-laws Jose, Cesar, Jesus and Remigio; daughter-in-laws Malinda and Nicolle.

Visitation will be on Monday, July 19, 2010, from 4 - 7 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 6 p.m. at Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary, 7387 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. Enrique will be laid to rest in Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California.

Enrique brought joy to all of those around him. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Enrique Diaz lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with as a devoted husband, father and always put family first.