Obituary (December 08, 2004)

Mark Marquez

Atherton Library assistant

Mark Marquez, who retired in February as senior library assistant at the Atherton Library, died unexpectedly November 17 at his home in Hayward.

Mr. Marquez had been ill with a cold, and a friend, concerned when he was not answering his phone, called the police. When the police arrived, they found that he had died, according to Atherton Library manager Thom Ball.

Mr. Marquez, 62, was born in Kansas and grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He attended St. John's Seminary and Scottsbluff Community College. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years, he moved to California.

He worked for the San Mateo County library system for 31 years. The most recent 15 were at the Atherton Library.

His first position was at "Central," the county's main office in Belmont. Mr. Marquez worked there six years, then in the East Palo Alto Library for 11.

One of his favorite projects at the Atherton Library was creating the colorful murals in the children's section, with themes such as summer reading or "Finding Nemo."

When he retired last February, one of his co-workers created a mural in the library lobby adorned with a huge image of Mr. Marquez's face and the words "Happy Trails." There was also a farewell barbecue.

Mr. Marquez is survived by his father, Threnee Marquez of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and siblings Sam and Michael Marquez, Kathy Dixon and Teresa Mast.

Services were held in Scottsbluff on November 30 and he was buried with full military honors.

For library patrons who would like to send condolences, Mr. Marquez' father's address is: Threnee Marquez, 2014 Avenue F, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 69361-4012.

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