Conrado (Coney) Orosco |
| Posted 2009-07-10 by Sharla |
| Taken from Wickenburg Sun dated July 5, 2006 Conrado "Coney" Grijalva Orosco, who had served as the Town of Wickenburg's Public Works director for 20 years, passed away peacefully at home Monday (July 3). He was 83. Orosco, a native of Wickenburg, had worked for the town government's utility/public works department from August 1949 to April 1997 (48 years) - with the final 20 years as Public Works director. Coney was born in Wickenburg on Dec. 2, 1922, son of Fernando and Teresa (Grijalva) Orosco. His mother passed away when Coney was 4 years old, so he was primarily raised by his Tia Marcella Garcia. Coney was educated in the Little Red Schoolhouse and the old Wickenburg High School until 11th grade. He spent some time living and working at the Vulture and Monte Cristo mines, as his father was a miner. His father's family dates back to the early 1800s in Wickenburg. Coney enlisted in the Army on July 7, 1942 and served until Dec. 18, 1945 during World War II. His military occupation was as automotive mechanic and rifle sharpshooter. He served in the Pacific theater in the Philippines. Coney received an American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Coney also was with the Wickenburg Volunteer Fire Department for 41 years, served one year as fire chief and many more as assistant fire chief. He was a charter member of the Wickenburg Elks Lodge 2160 for 48 years, as well as a past commander of the American Legion Kellis Draper Post 12. He was also a member of the Desert Stag riding group. Orosco was involved in the early days of Gold Rush Days. He was a competitor in the Mucking and Drilling contest, receiving numerous awards. He was also a member of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce. His passion for life revolved around friends and family. His love was the great outdoors - hunting, fishing, and riding his mule Winnie. He had a zest for life and a unique way of expressing himself. He lit up a room when he walked in. Coney was a true inspiration to us all. He lived life to the fullest. May he rest in peace, until we meet again. Coney is survived by his wife Liz Orozco; his best friend Chico; three children by his previous wife Eloise Orosco - Yolanda (Orosco) Dewees and her husband Larry of Cypress, Calif., Coney Orosco Jr., and his wife Lani of Litchfield Park, Ariz., and Theresa "Squinka" (Orosco) Davis and her husband Steve of Glendale, Ariz.; sister Esmeralda "Lilly" Macias and her husband Joe. He is also survived by his grandchildren Alicia and Norm Burnstein, Laura and Jason Davis, Christopher and Eric Dewees, Lisa and Jeff Walling, Sara and Kevin Meyer, Ryan and Bianca Orosco, Bowdie and Mikie Young, Destry Henson, Lisa and Mego Zabala, Jason and Julie Rowley, Tracy and Ross Headrick. He is survived by great-grandchildren Shalice, Kandice, Elizabeth, Maya, Eli, Ryan, Isaac, Hunter, Taylor, Austin, River, Colin, Baily and Zachery; one great-great-grandchild and one on the way; several nieces, nephews and cousins; three sister-in-laws Connie (Eddie) Swiggett of Clovis, N.M., Debbie (Jesse) Higareda, Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif., and Sherry (Gabe) Espinosa of Wickenburg. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Fernando Orosco Jr., Arturo Castro, (infant) Coney Orosco ; daughter Corrine Orosco Rowley; and sister-in-law Terry Mesa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Family Care of Sun City, Ariz., the Wickenburg Volunteer Fire Department or Desert Caballeros. Services will be held Thursday (July 6) at 6 p.m. at the Wickenburg Community Center, with a reception following. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home See Also: Find a Grave |
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