Zaragoza Hidalgo Obituary

Zaragoza "Lucky" Hidalgo, 96, passed away on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, at home with his family in Manteca, California. He was born on May 5th, 1926, in Paint Rock, Texas. Zaragoza was the son of Alejandro Hidalgo and Manuela De Leon Hidalgo and brother to Olivia Orosco, Louie Hidalgo, Estela Hidalgo-Ruiz, and Martha Hidalgo-Alvarez, and his love and devotion to his family was a constant throughout his life. Zaragoza was married to Esperanza Mendez Hidalgo for nearly 74 years and is survived by his daughter Martha Hidalgo Harris (Danny Harris), sons Esteban (Maria G. Franco Hidalgo), Gregory (Michele Hidalgo), and Michael (Wendy Roberts Hidalgo). And his grandchildren Amanda Harris, Stephanie Brown, Joseph "Joey" Hidalgo, Laura Bartek, Caroline Noone, Luke Bartek and great grandchildren Max Hammer, Elena Hammer, Porter Bartek and many extended family members and friends. Zaragoza grew up in Del Rio, Texas, before moving to Stockton, California. At the age of 17, during the Second World War, "Lucky" joined the US Navy and served from 1944 to 1946 on the battleship USS Massachusetts which was engaged throughout the war in the Pacific. And in 1950 Zaragoza was called up to serve in the Korean War and was stationed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California. Having returned to Stockton, California at the end of World War II, Zaragoza, like many returning Veterans, went to work, got married and began raising a family. In 1950 he began a life-long career in US Government Civil Service, starting at the Rough and Ready Island Naval Supply Depot. Along the way he completed his High School education which was delayed by his military service. After qualifying for various promotions Zaragoza transferred to Sharpe Army Depot, Lathrop, California. While at Sharpe, he continued his education attending night classes at San Joaquin Delta College leading to an Associate of Arts Degree. He continued to qualify for promotions, and eventually entered a Management Training Program associated with Logistics Management and acquired a Bachelorette of Arts Degree from the University of Kentucky. In 1971 Zaragoza accepted a promotion to work at the US Pentagon near Washington, DC and moved his family to Northern Virginia, where he lived for more than 20 years. Zaragoza strategically transferred briefly to Sacramento, California to finish his 31 years of US Government Civil Service and retire at age 55, in 1984. Upon Zaragoza's retirement he and his wife Esperanza built a beautiful custom mountain home amongst the tall pines in Pollack Pines, California, where they enjoyed many holidays and celebrations with family and friends. Zaragoza always civic minded and community spirited was actively involved as an elected officer in his local NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) Chapter helping others regarding their government employment benefits and representing the Chapter at state and national conventions. In 1998, Zaragoza moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be near young grandchildren. Always adventurous, Zaragoza and Esperanza made many cross-country trips during this time. Highlighting just a few of the travels, there were trips to the USS Massachusetts on which he served in World War II, plus visits with old shipmates in Oklahoma and North Dakota, the WWII National Monument and founding commemoration, an Alaskan cruise with a visit to Victoria, BC, Canada. Closer to home he volunteered for many years as a hospital volunteer transporting patients to and from appointments via wheelchair. In 2019, Zaragoza and Esperanza moved to California in Manteca, to be near family, great-grandchildren, and friends. Zaragoza "Lucky", always ready and willing to help others, guided by principles of honesty and truth, and a true believer that wherever you are you can develop friendships that last a lifetime. He will be lovingly missed by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as his comadres, nieces, nephews, and friends. His smile, warm heart, kind spirit, and his love and devotion will live on through us and in the memories of those who knew him. Memorial services are pending at this time.