Marcelino Rivera Cabral

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Marcelino Rivera Cabral was born on July 17, 1932, in Anaheim, California to his parents, Juan A. Cabral and Petra Rivera Cabral. He was raised in Stanton, California alongside his nine siblings: Alfred, Richard (deceased), Margaret Esther, Hortencia, Beatrice (deceased), Robert (deceased), Francisco (deceased), Manuel and Alice. Marcie grew up in a migrant farm worker family with unwavering support and guidance from their parents. Marcie, being the eldest, had an unbreakable spirit in his vision for a brighter future that led to a life filled with hope, accomplishments, and success.

Marcelino enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably from 1951 to 1959. With due diligence, he earned his general education degree (GED) and received specialized training and was promoted to staff sergeant. As staff sergeant he saw action in the Korean War, flying on jet aircraft missions, transporting troops, medical supplies, and equipment from Japan to Korea. His eight-year tenure was characterized by courage and distinction, earning him several awards and medals. Marcie was stationed overseas in Guam, Korea, the Philippines, Japan, and in the United States, Bangor, Maine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hawaii, and finally Riverside, California.

During his Air Force service years, Marcie married Rosemary Valadez and in 1954 he was overjoyed with the birth of his first daughter, Debbie Gail, who was born at Loring Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine. In 1955 he was blessed again with the birth of his second daughter Linda Rae, who was born at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1959 driven by his unconditional love and care for his daughters and his strong commitment to seeking medical support for his eldest daughter who was born with cerebral palsy, Marcie chose to end his Air Force career to focus on his daughter's health and was honorably discharged.

Marcie’s journey then led him back to California to thrive as a foreman on a farm doing seasonal work in Anaheim. During the off-season, he worked full-time at the post office, where he later met his future wife, Beverly Wood, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage living in Orange County CA. In 1980, he was wonderfully blessed with the arrival of his son Nicolas, making him the proud father of the youngest (Nick) and oldest (Debbie Gail) cousins in the Cabral 1st Cousin clan of 22.  Indeed a remarkable achievement. Cheers to you Marcie!

Marcie inspired others with a passion and a commitment to honor and respect the importance of family, exemplifying this through his generosity, love, and unconditional loyalty. He would often selflessly lend a helping-hand in guiding his beloved children, spouse, siblings, and numerous friends. Marcie was always confident that his children and family would unite in any tough situation, knowing that life’s challenges, though sometimes daunting, could only be overcome together. He believed that with collective hard work, self-reliance, and mutual support, all obstacles could be surmounted, and that faith and perseverance would yield blessings.

Marcie had an incredible work ethic, valuing hard work with an unbreakable spirit for cultivating the land to grow quality, delicious fruits and vegetables. He took immense pride and joy in rolling up his sleeves alongside his workers, teaching all that is vital about working in the fields with his children, all his sisters and brothers, nephews and nieces, and anyone willing to have fun getting their hands a bit dirty, with what he termed, “clean dirt”. We all shared the experiences of driving a tractor, a forklift, a truck or assisting him with irrigation. But the most rewarding experience of all was picking and packing fruits and vegetables, especially savoring the sweetest, most delicious strawberries.

Marcie was a shining embodiment of the true American Dream, rising from humble beginnings as a migrant worker to serving in the Korean War, and realizing his lifelong aspiration of becoming a farmer/grower, proudly owning, and cultivating his land of 1,000 acres. He earned a stellar reputation as a highly sought after successful grower, achieving greatness early in life.

Marcie also greatly enjoyed life and had many hobbies. He enjoyed the adventures of camping, roasting marshmallows, the thrill of white-water river-rafting, dancing, and listening to ranchera music with his daughter Linda Rae. He also enjoyed going to the Orange County Fair and to the Anaheim Stadium Angel games to eat hot dogs and have a beer or two with his son Nick. But foremost, even though it was a work accomplishment, he considered farming a hobby. He was genuinely happy when he was in his field farming.

Marcie‘s legacy will eternally inspire the hearts of countless lives, he was a kind hearted gentleman with his infectious laughter, radiant smile, and unwavering happy-go-lucky zest for life persona. He strongly believed in education and was immensely proud of the academic achievements of both his children who successfully pursued higher education degrees. The love between his daughter, Linda Rae and son Nick was truly “unstoppable.” They shared an extraordinary bond that lifted each other to limitless heights. His unwavering love and faith in them, instilled a foundation of guiding principles and values that have transformed them into the people they are today.

Marcelino, we salute you! A proud dad, husband, uncle, godfather, cousin, dear hearted-friend, the oldest brother of ten siblings being the patriarch of the family, and a humble respected godfather to all! You will remain in our hearts with love forever

"You will remain in our hearts with love forever!"