Special to El Rrun-Rrun
We have received word that Brownsville businessman and former Brownsville Navigation District commissioner Mario Villarreal died Sept. 5 at age 90.
Villarreal was an electrician who worked at the Brownsville Public Utility Board for many years as his father before him.
After he left the PUB, he started his own business, PESA, which supplied electrical equipment locally and to the maquiladora industry in Northern Mexico.
If you walked into his office, his walls were decorated with photos of him with Mexican presidents, U.S. politicians, and even one with Raul Castro. A WWII buff, he had a case filled with Luger handguns with the Nazi swastika and numerous mementos from the war.
A veteran, he served in the U.S. and Texas national Guard. He enlisted in in October 30, 1947 where he attained the ranks of Platoon Leader, Sgt., and later Ist Lt. in Company A, 112th Light Armed Cavalry Regiment. He was honorably discharged on June 1963.In 1974, he launched PESA (Promociones y Edificaciones Sociedad Anónima), which is still in business at 700 E. Levee Street. He ran and won an election for commissioner of the Port of Brownsville from 1996 to 2000 and served as president and vice-president of the board.
On his own, and wanting no compensation, he sought - and eventually attained - light fixtures to return the fountain to its original grandeur.
When a student was gunned down by police at Cummings Middle School, he sought out the biological mother and contributed $1,000 toward the boy's funeral, anonymously.
Many remember him because of such unselfish acts of charity. He decried the politicization of the BPUB and called for at least two permanent position there to be held by an electrical and hydrological engineer to advice the board members on those issues.The board was set up separate from the city commission for that very reason, he said.
A product of downtown Brownsville he grew up on Jefferson Street, then on Villa Verde. He never forgot his beginnings and was passionate about making the city a better place for everyone.
May he R.I.P. and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife and his extended family.
5 comments:
May Don Mario Villarreal rest in peace. He was a very humble and great person, I got to know him personally. Since he was a veteran, I hope that he gets full military honors at his funeral, he was one of few Hispanics that served as commissioned officers back in those years. May he rest in peace, Brownsville lost a true leader.
ya no los hacen asi.
honestos y trabajadores.
Condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.
So sad another great man journeys to heaven. RIP Mr. Villarreal had the honor of knowing him and went to school with one of his daughters. A wonderful and giving man, like so many of his generation. May God comfort his wonderful family.
I consider Mr. Villarreal the smartest, most down to earth person I have ever met. He would open up to me, or anyone I imagine, and you could learn more from him about the local politics, PUB, City Commission, or just life in general in five minutes than you could with anyone else. He was that sharp. Brownsville has lost a great man. May Mario rest in peace. At least now Mario local politicos won't be coming to 700 east levee to ask for a donation. I salute you my friend.
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