Marcelino Rubio

Marcelino Rubio -- affectionately known to many as "Che" -- was born in El Paso, Texas on April 17, 1935 to Luz Manriquez and Andres Rubio. He was the last living of six siblings, who included Jesus, Evah, Andres Junior, Socorro and Gabriel. He passed away from the side effects of Parkinsons Disease on March 23, 2018 in the home of his daughter, Ofelia, in Whittier, California. He was 82.

Marcelino grew up in El Paso until, at the age of 15, he jumped a train and headed to Los Angeles on his own. He lived there for most of his remaining 57 years. Marcelino was a very intelligent man who loved to read and learn. Most people are shocked to learn that he left school before completing the third grade to work and help his mother and brothers support the family. He joined the army at 17 and, while enlisted, he was able complete his education through middle school. He also took other courses and earned certificates in the area of chemical applications.

Most exciting was the opportunity to travel in Europe. There he was able to quickly learn Italian and German, which he used many years later to communicate with people from Italy and Germany that hed run into. He was also able to use his beautiful singing voice to make many friends and get free drinks and food as he visited the different clubs with his army friends throughout Europe. Marcelino later went back to school at Cerritos College where he did very well. His classmates were completely surprised when he told them he had to leave school in third grade, and he came home proudly to announce that they thought he had been college educated.

Marcelino was an extremely loving and kind father and grandfather. He married his beautiful wife, Alicia Lopez. on August 3, 1963 in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Together they had five children (Ofelia, Veronica, Alicia, Joseph and Michael) and inherited five incredible in-law sons and daughters (Nelson, Fernando, Thomas, Stacey and Valerie). Before long he had eight amazing grandkids (Michael, Ian, Isabela, Samantha, Evah, Matea, Sofia and August).

Marcelino loved being around people and entertaining others with his singing and his sense of humor.

Please join us as we celebrate Ches life with the things he loved the most: music and family and friends. A viewing will be held on Monday, April 2, 2018 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service from 6:30-8:00. Both will be held at White Emerson Mortuary in Whittier. Please also join us for a mass on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Whittier, California at 9:30 a.m. The military internment will follow at 12:45 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery. All are also welcome to join us and celebrate Ches life immediately following at the Whittier home of Ofelia, Nelson and Isabela.