Roberto G. Altamirano, a retired Merchant Mariner and United States Army Veteran of the Korean War, passed away on January 10, 2023, at the age of 96, in Auburn, Alabama. He was born in Masca, Honduras on January 7, 1927 to the late Martin Altamirano and Margarita Guzman. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Magna Garcia Altamirano, of 66 years, on December 24, 2022. He is survived by his two devoted daughters, Isabel M. Altamirano and Magna Regina Altamirano Cayll; and his esteemed son-in-law, David R. Cayll. He is also survived by his two loving grandchildren, David Richard Cayll and Caroline Regina Cayll of Sugar Land, Texas.
He was raised in Puerto Cortes, Honduras. During World War II, Honduras assisted in the effort by contributing personnel and ships to deliver food and other supplies to the United States. Robert made many journeys to New Orleans during this time, despite the dangers of a torpedo attack by German submarines posted at the mouth of the Mississippi River. He received United States residency for his service by this act from the House of Representatives law in 1952: 8 USC Chapter 12, Subchapter III: Nationality and Naturalization §1401 (g) (B).
He joined the United States Merchant Marine in 1945. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, because he was a United States resident and served a tour of duty during the Korean War. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, United Nation Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Medals, and the Korean Defense Medal. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1954. He returned to New Orleans, and on May 26, 1954, he became a citizen of the United States. He went back to the Merchant Marines until his retirement in 1992 with 47 years of Sea Service. He was a member of the National Maritime Union, 32° Degree Mason of the Cervantes Lodge #5, Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Louisiana, Grand Consistory of Louisiana, and Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.A.
On November 24, 1956, he married Magna Garcia in La Punta, Callao in Peru. They eventually moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a parishioner of St. Alphonsus Parish and later in the 1990’s, he was a parishioner of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. For a time, he volunteered at Stella Maris Maritime Center which was located on Constance Street. He enjoyed gardening, watching western shows/movies, and being the family bartender. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was known by his family for his strength and his sense of humor. In his later years, he lived in Tyler, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Auburn, Alabama.
Friends and family are invited to attend the services at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, March 6, 2023 beginning with the visitation at 9:00AM. A Masonic ceremony will take place at 9:30AM, followed by the Memorial Mass at 10:00AM. After the Mass, a graveside service, with the Army Honor Guard, will take place at Lake Lawn Park. A reception to celebrate Roberto’s life will follow the graveside service at the Event Center of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home.
To view the Mass via livestream and sign the online guestbook, please visit Roberto’s obituary at www.lakelawnmetairie.com
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