Macario Ordonio, 85, of Mystic peacefully passed away on February 20, surrounded by family at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London.
Born in Bani, Philippines on July 10 1928, he was the youngest of nine children of Domingo and Maria Anchita Ordonio. He was married for 49 years to Guadalupe Guerrero, a teacher and nurse's aide, until she passed eight years ago. They were inseparable, and their first devotion was to the upbringing and education of their three children, and later to their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Macario was attending college in Philippines when he decided to follow his two brothers in joining the U.S Navy, where he served for 20 years on submarines stationed in Subic Bay Philippines, Honolulu, San Diego, Chicago and Groton. He received many Navy awards, including medals for combat action in the Vietnam conflict. Upon retiring from the Navy, he was employed at Supervisor of Shipbuilding for 20 years, finally retiring for good in 1995 to spend more time with his grandchildren.
In his younger days he was a skilled amateur boxer known for his prolific vegetable gardens, and enjoyed tending to his properties in Bani, Philippines, San Diego and Mystic. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and tenacity.
He spent his final years in Gales Ferry with his oldest daughter and her husband, Vivian and Tim Atherton, who unconditionally assured his happiness and well-being after he lost his beloved Guadalupe. He is also survived by his daughter Grace Jensen and husband Steve, of Hadlyme; son Macario Ordonio Jr. of Mystic; grandchildren Jennifer, Cheyne, Timmy, Lauren, Stephanie, Brandon and Casey; and great-grandchildren Sunny, Morgan, Lily and Vincent.
His family will receive friends on Monday, February 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic. Burial with Military Honors will be Tuesday, February 25 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Cemetery, River Rd. Old Mystic.
Donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org), 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford CT 06492-1822.
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