Mario Alaniz

MARIO ALANIZ SAN JUAN - Mario Alaniz passed away Thursday, September 17, 2015, at the age of 81. He is preceded in death by his parents, Felipe Alaniz and Manuela Trevino Alaniz; a sister Raquel Calderon; and three brothers, Adalberto Alaniz, Advento Alaniz and Ruben Alaniz. Mario is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Oralia Alaniz, his daughter, Sandra Yvette, his sons, Mark and Mario, and his beloved grandchildren, Courtnee Joanne and Mark II. His brother, Johnny Alaniz, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. Finally, he is survived by his loyal dog of 12 years, Sassy. Born in 1934, he became a star baseball athlete, playing in semi-pro baseball in South Texas, later being inducted into the Leo Najo Hall of Fame. Mario proudly served in the US Military during the Korean War era in both the 11th airborne and the legendary 82nd airborne division of the US Army as a Staff Sergeant. After his time in the military, Mario became a career civil servant with the United States Department of Agriculture, notably playing a key role in the screwworm eradication program of the 1960’s and 1970’s, and the mounted patrol fever tick eradication program of the 1980’s through the present. Later, he and his wife opened San Mar Department Store and Mark’s 5 & 10 located in downtown San Juan, helping the original downtown grow into a strong community through the 1980’s. Upon retiring, Mario continued serving his community by helping his wife, Oralia, with the St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen located at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, September 18, 2015, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2015, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. Private interment will take place at a later date at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.