Luis Morones passed away this morning (3:37am) peacefully in San Diego, surrounded by family. Originally from Mexico City and the son of legendary labor leader Luis N Morones (founder of CROM and Mexico’s former secretary of Industry/Commerce/Economy in the President Calles administration). Luis was married to Laura Careaga of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico for 64 years.
They had 5 children Luis and Laura born in Mexico and Enrique, Nora and Pete born in San Diego. Luis and Laura came to live in San Diego’s Golden Hill neighborhood in mid 1950’s as he was offered a position in Mexico’s Fish and Game offices downtown. After working for the Mexican government he returned to his roots, the airline industry where he worked more than three decades from AeroVias Reforma in Mexico City to Aero Mexico Airlines where he retired as regional director in San Diego.
Luis and Laura instilled in their children a deep love for Mexico, great Faith and the value of education (Luis SDSU, Laura UCSD, Enrique USD, Nora UCSD and Pete SDSU The boys all graduates of Saint Augustine High School and later received post graduate degress amd the girls St Joseph Cathedral and Rosary High respectively before going to UCSD.
Luis was awarded the keys to the City of San Diego upon his retirement from Aero Mexico. He studied at the WIlliams School in Mexico City (classmate of Octavio Paz) and went to college in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York, (where he was a standout athlete and student) with his older brother Enrique before returning to Mexico City.
“My dad was a great man, a true gentleman and my personal hero” states son Enrique Morones. He instilled in us a great love for Mexico. Tremendous respect for this country and inspired us to social justice”.
Brothers Luis and Pete both in the psychology field. Laura worked for Padre Hidalgo Center. Nora for US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. While Enrique founded Border Angels and House of Mexico.
Luis is survived by his loving wife. Laura “el corazon de la familia”. Their five children (Luis/wife Mary). Laura/husband Steve) Enrique. Nora and Pete/wife Gail) and two grandchildren which he loved very much, Joshua and Luca.
The family will have a quiet Mass @ St Patricks church, Friday August 9th in North Park and asks that in lieu of flowers donations in his honor be sent to Sharps Hospice in La Mesa California. Descanse en Paz, Luis Morones.
