OVERDUE REMEMBRANCE OF OUR FRIEND TIMO HINOJOSA

(Ed.'s note: We had promised our friends that we would write about our late friend Timo Hinojosa, but alas, time ran out on him May 7 of this year. We were remiss in not honoring his accomplishments when we had the chance. We now publish his obituary. We will miss him.)

Born in Brownsville, on a scorching, hot July day, Timo’s mother was Josephina Cortinas Rivera and his birth father, was Eutimio Rivera. Both were members of pioneer Cameron County families.
He was raised in Brownsville by his adoptive mother and father, Blacita Cortinas Hinojosa and Ernesto Hinojosa, and resided at the corner of 7th and Adams St. in a home that still remains. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy a block away then located on Elizabeth Street. A good kid with a healthy streak of orneriness, Timo and his buddies found their share of things to do in the bustling and growing city of Brownsville.
After high school, Timo was an underage enlistee in the U. S. Army Air Corps where he served during World War II. Following the war, Timo relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he attended Dallas Aviation School and graduated in 1947, earning a license in Aircraft and Engine Maintenance.
Timo then returned to Brownsville, initially working for Pan American Airways before the company relocated elsewhere; then worked for others including the Port of Brownsville, Booth Fisheries, and the Norton Company from where he retired in 1987.
Also an entrepreneur, Timo, owned and operated a Texaco service station at Four Corners in Brownsville for a number of years and after retiring established Timo’s Barbeque. Timo was a member of the Elks Club for over 50 years and, as a consummate promoter of Brownsville, retained his over-half-century Chamber of Commerce membership until the end.
Throughout all his married life of 54 years, Timo supported his wife, Maggie, as she pursued her 34 year career at Texas Southmost College concluding as Director of Veteran’s Affairs.
Timo and Maggie had a zest for living and were always on the go whether it was a day at the beach, partying nights with friends in Matamoros, or frequent trips to Mexico City. Concurrently, they helped raise nieces and nephews and served as mentors to countless others.
Always a political junkie, Timo was largely a behind-the-scenes broker though he did serve on the Brownsville Independent School District Board in the 1950’s.
Timo served Cameron County as a member and Board Chair of the Private Industry Council for a number of years. He enjoyed regaling anyone who would listen to his stories and look at photos of him with politicians from the U.S. President on down.
He also took pride in what he called the “cutting boards” which were the numerous plaques on his walls representing state-wide and local awards for various contributions to the community. A life-long Roman Catholic and current member of St. Luke Catholic Church in Brownsville.
Immediately after Maggie’s death, Timo established a student endowment honoring her long career at Texas Southmost College.