LEOPOLDO ESTRADA Obituary

LEOPOLDO ESTRADA

July 12, 1939 – Sept. 10, 2024

Leopoldo Estrada, 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, in Coronado, California. He passed away in his home surrounded by his loving children, grandchildren, brothers, and close family members.

He was born on July 12, 1939, in Mexicali, Baja California, to his late parents, Francisco and Maria Luisa Estrada. Leopoldo "Polo" was married to his late wife Teresa Fonseca, whom he met in Mexicali and fell in love with immediately. They courted briefly and married shortly after meeting in 1964. He was a shy tall, handsome man that was captivated by Teresa's outgoing adventurous nature. Their love created five children, whom they loved dearly and were always there to support them throughout their lives.

Polo was a loving family man who enjoyed nothing better than being with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and of course, his brothers. He was an avid fan of the San Diego Padres, always sharing the stats with others and not shying away from criticizing the trades and errors.

Polo lived in Mexicali in his younger youth and moved to make Heber his hometown with his wife and children. He was a devoted husband and father and was very involved in his children's hobbies and events. He had many jobs as a young man in Mexicali, including delivering water and a bartender. He opened his first business selling cars, "Yuma," after his father's nickname. He worked for Broadbent and for many years at Moiola Feed Yard. Together with his late wife, they managed their home business, Teresa's Interiors, and eventually opened a business in Mexicali, Decoraciones Del Norte, servicing the Mexicali clientele. After retiring, he was an excellent partner with his wife to bring assistance to the needs of seniors in Heber. Always loyal, always available. After his wife's sudden death in 2019, his loving daughter Meche brought him to live with her in Coronado, and she tended to his every need.

Polo was preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Maria Luisa Estrada; wife, Teresa Estrada; sister and brothers, Lucia, Lauro, Raul, Jose, Francisco, and Guillermo Estrada; sisters-in-law, Lucia, Raquel, and Alma Delia Estrada; and brother-in-law, Refugio Pimentel.

He is survived by his children, Teresa 'Terry' Mathern (Rick) of Akron, Ohio, Leopoldo 'Polo' Estrada of Zion, Utah, Francisco 'Paco' Estrada, Miguel 'Mike' Estrada, both from San Diego, and Mercedes 'Meche' Estrada from Coronado; grandchildren, Alejandra Mathern, Akron, Ohio, Robert M. Mathern, Washington, D.C., Destiny Estrada, Faith Estrada, Nicolas Estrada, and Sofia Chavez, San Diego; great-grandchildren, Adrian Francisco and Christian Miguel; brothers, Gustavo Estrada, Imperial, Enrique Estrada, Heber, and Luis Estrada, Calexico; sisters-in-law, Maria Luisa Estrada, Josie Estrada, Ramona Estrada, Alma Rosa Flores, Teresa Estrada, Rosalva Fonseca, and Guadalupe Cevallos. He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.

Services will be on Friday, September 20, 2024, vigil at 8 a.m., rosary at 8:45 a.m., and mass at 9:30 a.m., at Sagrado Corazon de Jesus church in Heber, California. Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery, immediately after. Celebration of Life will be at Luis & Teresa Estrada's home, 1217 Eady Ave., Calexico.