Espinosa K.

Miguel Espinosa K. Miguel passed away early in the morning of February 5, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. His passing was at home after suffering a stroke and spending four weeks hospitalized. Miguel was born December 27, 1921 in Tamazula, a small town in the state of Durango, Mexico, where his grandfather owned a mine. His parents were Miguel Espinosa E. and Jessie Mae Keefer. His father was born near Tamazula and his mother was from Farmer City, Illinois. Miguel’s parents met while his father attended the University of Illinois. For those curious, Mexican naming tradition includes your mother’s maiden name at the end, hence the K for Keefer. Miguel grew up in Mexico City, where he attended primary schools. In 1936, he enrolled in high school at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin; the same school his oldest brother attended and, years later, his eldest son. Four years later Miguel enrolled in college at the University of Colorado in Boulder. When WWII was declared, he returned to Mexico to convince his father to allow him to enlist in the U.S. Military. With his father’s reluctant permission, he travelled to Illinois, where his mother had family, and enlisted in the Army. Miguel trained at Camp Fannin in Texas before shipping overseas. He was attached to the 90th Division, 357 Regiment and landed on Utah Beach D-Day +1. His campaign took him across France and just into Germany when he was injured with trench foot. Miguel was taken first to England and then to United States on the ship Queen Elizabeth, eventually ending up in a hospital in Colorado Springs for nearly a year. He lost all five toes on one foot. After recovering, Miguel returned to Mexico and met a lovely young lady, Eleanore Parra, at a party. He proposed six times and she finally agreed to marry him on condition that he returned to college. He agreed and they married, moved to Boulder, CO, and their first son, Edward Michael was born. The three then moved to California where Miguel finished his degree at CalPoly in San Luis Obispo. After graduating, the family moved back to Mexico City. Miguel was fortunate to find a job with Ethyl Corporation. A few years later, a second son, Roberto F., was born. The family moved to Connecticut in 1963 and then to Louisiana in 1972. Miguel’s job grew from an entry position as a safety engineer to Vice President of sales for all of Latin America, South America, and South Africa. After retiring in 1985, Miguel and Eleanore moved to San Luis Obispo, CA to be near their only grandson, David, the son of Edward “Mike”. The two lived there until 1995 when they decided to be near the newest grandchild, Jessica, in Danbury, CT, the daughter of Roberto. Eleanore and Miguel lived in Danbury very happily until the passing of Eleanore in 2010. In 2012, Miguel then connected with the wife of a fraternity brother from Colorado who had passed away. He moved to Denver where he spent his last years very happily with Judy Miller. For Miguel’s service in the war, he received several medals including the Purple Heart and the Bronze star. In May 2012, at 90 years young, Miguel received the French Legion of Honor medal presented to him and other veterans by the French Ambassador at West Point; a beautiful and touching ceremony. Miguel was also a long-time Rotarian, first joining in Cuernavaca, Mexico in 1946. He became President of the Danbury Club when he was in his mid 80s. Miguel had a full life with a wonderful wife of nearly 63 years. Together they traveled the world, ate wonderful food, met interesting and important people and he enjoyed a beautiful collection of paintings and sculpture. In 2014, he self-published his autobiography, “A Mexican in the U.S. Army During World War II”, available in bookstores. However, above all, his greatest joy came from his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. His family is very proud. Miguel will be very deeply missed by his immediate family and many extended family members who all considered him a patriarch. He was predeceased by two brothers: Ramon and Roberto. Miguel leaves his son Edward and his companion Emelina, his daughter-in-law Evelyn Espinosa, his grandson David Espinosa and his wife Alison and their children Chloe Mei and Ella Lin. Miguel also leaves his second son Roberto and his wife Jill Immermann and his granddaughter Jessica Espinosa. He also leaves his companion of nearly four years who gave him joy, laughter, and great care, Judy Miller. Miguel will be very greatly missed by many across the globe but his care and influence will remain strong and be passed on to many. Services and a celebration of his life will follow in May.