Macario Ordonio

Ledyard— Macario Ordonio, 85, formerly of Mystic, beloved husband of Guadalupe, peacefully passed away on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, surrounded by family at Lawrence + 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 War. Upon retiring from the Navy, he was employed as 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 from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic. Burial with Military Honors will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at St. Patrick Cemetery, River Road, Old Mystic.