Marco Francisco Escobar, aged 83, passed away on June 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on November 2, 1941, in Quito, Ecuador, Marco was a man of quiet strength, enduring love, and devoutly Catholic.

Marco was a dedicated family man and a supportive and fiercely loyal friend. He had multiple careers throughout his life. In his native Ecuador, he worked as an accountant for Ecuatoriana Airlines. His dream was to move to the United States and visit the Empire State Building, so he did just that with his first wife, Susana, in 1970. His tenacity to achieve the American Dream resulted in many struggles where others would have quit, but not him. Upon moving to the United States, he worked a gas station attendant in Midtown Manhattan. Later, he began work as a parking attendant in various parking garages throughout Manhattan. Marco was an extremely hard-working

individual with a strong work ethic, motivated by his desire to provide for his wife and hischildren to ensure they would never go without. He exhibited this by oftentimes working two jobs. For the last 10 years, he worked as a teacher’s aide/substitute teacher at Robert Waters School in the Union City Board of Education. His loving wife, Mariana, also works in the UCBOE at the Union City Early Childhood Education Center. His ability to calmly perform his duties served as an example to all. Amongst his educator

coworkers, he was incredibly well-respected and loved and was seen as a father figure.

As a resident of many years of Union City, he was actively involved in the community by volunteering his time to organizations that helped serve Union City. Marco was an incredibly passionate sports fan. He was an avid supporter of Deportivo Quito of the Ecuadorian soccer league. His loyalty was exemplified by his continued support of the team during their relegation from the top flight of Ecuadorian soccer. Additionally, nothing excited him more than watching the Ecuadorian national team play. He enjoyed following Manchester United and Real Madrid and passionately followed their matches on weekends. As a player, he played goalkeeper and had a strong left

foot, like two of his grandsons. He loved nothing more than to watch soccer while gathered with friends and family, whether at home or in the park at a BBQ on a 3 inch TV in the days before streaming.

Marco is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mariana, his children, Sylvia (with Susana), Christian (with Mariana), and Diego (with Mariana), his grandchildren, Dylan, Logan, EJ, and Elena, and his siblings, German, Fernando, Marcelo, and Emma. Marco’s legacy of love, kindness, humility and compassion will continue to inspire all those who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on June 20, 2025 at Jorge Rivera Funeral Home at 4pm. The funeral service will be held at St. Rocco & St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church on June 21, 2025 at 10am followed immediately by a burial service at Fairview Cemetery at

11:30am.

Marco Francisco Escobar, a los 83 años, falleció el 14 de junio de 2025, rodeado de su amorosa familia. Nacido el 2 de noviembre de 1941 en Quito, Ecuador, Marco fue un hombre de fortaleza serena, amor inquebrantable y un católico devoto.

Marco fue un hombre de familia dedicado y un amigo comprensivo y leal. Desarrolló múltiples carreras a lo largo de su vida. En su Ecuador natal, trabajó como contador para Ecuatoriana Airlines. Su sueño era mudarse a Estados Unidos y visitar el Empire State Building, y lo hizo con su primera esposa, Susana, en 1970. Su tenacidad para alcanzar el Sueño Americano le valió muchas dificultades, donde otros se habrían rendido, pero él no. Al mudarse a Estados Unidos, trabajó como empleado de gasolinera en Midtown Manhattan. Despues, comenzó a trabajar como asistente de estacionamiento en varios estacionamientos de Manhattan. Marco era una persona sumamente trabajadora con una sólida ética laboral, motivado por su deseo de mantener a su esposa e hijos para que nunca les faltara nada. Demostró esto al tener dos trabajos a menudo. Durante los últimos 10 años, trabajó como asistente de

maestro/profesor sustituto en la Escuela Robert Waters de la Junta de Educación de Union City. Su amada esposa, Mariana, también trabaja en la UCBOE, en el Centro de Educación Infantil de Union City. Su capacidad para desempeñar sus funciones con serenidad fue un ejemplo para todos. Entre sus compañeros educadores, era muy respetado y querido, y se le consideraba una figura paterna. Tras residir en Union City durante muchos años, participó activamente en la comunidad ofreciendo su tiempo

como voluntario a organizaciones que ayudaban a la ciudad.

Marco era un apasionado aficionado a los deportes. Era un ferviente hincha del Deportivo Quito de la liga ecuatoriana de fútbol. Su lealtad se ejemplificó con su continuo apoyo al equipo durante su descenso de la máxima categoría del fútbol ecuatoriano. Además, nada lo emocionaba más que ver jugar a la selección ecuatoriana. Disfrutaba siguiendo al Manchester United y al Real Madrid y seguía con pasión sus partidos los fines de semana. Como jugador, jugaba de portero y tenía una zurda potente, como dos de sus nietos. Nada le gustaba más que ver fútbol reunido con amigos y familiares, ya fuera en casa o en el parque, en una barbacoa, en un

televisor de 3 pulgadas.

A Marco le sobreviven su esposa de 37 años, Mariana; sus hijos, Sylvia (con Susana), Christian (con Mariana) y Diego (con Mariana); sus nietos, Dylan, Logan, EJ y Elena; sus hermanos, Germán, Fernando, Marcelo y Emma. El legado de amor, bondad,

humildad y compasión de Marco seguirá inspirando a todos quienes lo conocieron.

Se celebrará un servicio conmemorativo el 20 de junio de 2025 en la Funeraria Jorge Rivera a las 4 p.m . l servicio funeral se llevará a cabo en la Iglesia Católica Romana St. Rocco y St. Brigid el 21 de junio de 2025 a las 10 a. m., seguido inmediatamente por un servicio de entierro en el Cementerio Fairview a las 11:30 a. m.