Obituary of Mike Chacon

Mike (Margarito) Nieto Chacon, 78, of Salinas, California, surrounded by his loved ones, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 8th, 2013. Born October 9th, 1934 in Eagle Pass, Texas to Juan Chacon and Julia Nieto Chacon. During his youth, the family moved from Texas to California. He resided most of his life in Salinas. Mr. Chacon, with an extremely strong work ethic, was a passionate and dedicated man to his profession. He was licensed and practiced during various times of his life as a General Engineer and General Building Contractor. Primarily focusing as a cement contractor, he successfully started and managed, with his wife Delia, in 1972, Diamond Cement Contractor. Mr. Chacon was equally proud and passionate about employing and teaching his trade to anyone who was interested. He encouraged all who would listen to seek and share, as he did, as much knowledge as possible. Prior to his work as a contractor, beginning in 1959, he worked as a construction supervisor, under the direction of his mentor Mike (Milo) Karr, for a San Francisco based company then known as Homer and Lawrence Engineers. Together, Mr. Karr and Mr. Chacon traveled to various states focusing on large commercial projects, the most notable locally being the visible silos in Moss Landing and Spreckels. In addition to this, his work lead him to function for the California Contractors State License Board, as an Industry Expert Program Inspector for the Consumer Services Agency.He was a life time Gold Member in good standing for over fifty years and loyal to Laborers’ International Union of Northern America, Laborers’ Local 270 and 272. Mr. Chacon was a very sincere man who valued his privacy and time at home either reading or listening to his favored “Fats Domino," "Etta James" as well as “Corridos Mexicanos” while sharing stories of the good-old days. He loved taking his grandchildren on frequent visits to Lover's Point and China Beach where he claimed, always with a smile on his face, to have met his wife. Mr. Chacon was extremely proud of his entire family. His happiest of days and peaceful moments were spending as much time as possible with his family and with his horses. He was loyal to his political beliefs, enjoyed following political debates and not to be remiss, also enjoyed holding a few family political debates of his own. He is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of 58 years, Delia Loreto, his children Sylvia Chacon-Prado; Michael (Theresa) Chacon;and Mona Lopez (Joseph.) He is also survived by his siblings, Elena Martinez; Marilou Chavez; Romie Veliz, Manuel Chacon, John; Ray; Ruben; Mario; Edward; Armando and Ramiro Chacon. His grandchildren: Michael J. Chacon; Celina Sanchez; Brianne Chacon; Jolissa Linares; Theresa Chacon; Makayla Chacon; Paula Chacon-Prado. Great-grandchildren: Nicki Sanchez; Isaiah Chacon; Mika Chacon; Eva Carrillo; Courtney Carrillo and Mike Chacon, III. What we as a family will remember and miss most are his witty comments, his profound unending advice, his beautiful smile, his love of long family road trips, blue glittered stars, khaki’s and wingtips. “Big Mike-Diamond One,” the lessons were hard, the memories, grand. We shall always carry you in our hearts and pray that the peace we feel when we are together as a family, is the peace which you are blessed to have now and forever more. And yes, we will always “ponte trucha.” At Mike's request, no services will be held. Cremation has taken place. The family requests that all memorial donations please be made in his name to The American Heart Association, 1514 Moffett St., Ste J, Salinas Ca 93905 (americanheart.org).