Marcelino Bacerott Jr.

June 14, 1942 - January 9, 2021

Mission-Marcelino Bacerott Jr., 78, passed away on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at Doctor's Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. Childhood Born in San Vicente, NL, Mexico, “Nino” was the second oldest of 9 siblings. His parents, Marcelino Bacerott & Genoveva Rendon, raised their family in Mexico and the USA. He toiled as a migrant worker alongside his parents and siblings, Manuel and Sylvia, in the harvest fields of Bakersfield California. His family also lived and worked in Edinburg, Texas, and surrounding areas. Hardship increased as the family grew, often having to live in one large room. The family grew to nine children: Manuel, Nino, Silvia, Juan, Nelly, Nancy, David, Elvis, and Diana. Nino worked as a paperboy, shoe shiner, and at a mechanic shop. During the harvesting off-season, they would return to San Vicente NL to spend time with their beloved maternal grandparents “Mama Chonita” and “Papa Felipe.” Throughout this time, Nino and a few of the older siblings were attending school on and off in the USA. Young Adult At the age of 18, Nino decided to explore the booming manufacturing industry of the Midwest. Encouraged by his aunt Velia Rendon (mother’s sister) and her husband Pedro Tellez, he relocated to Chicago IL. After saving enough money from his first factory job, he moved into an apartment and furnished it so that his family could relocate there as well. He was forever thankful to his aunt and uncle for providing their home while he settled into Chicago and new employment opportunities. Eventually, Nino began employment as an electrician at GM’s Electro-Motive Division in McCook, IL in 1965. His excellent work ethic provided employment opportunities at GM for his older brother Manuel and thereafter, his younger brother Juan along with other relatives. Nino’s father and the three oldest siblings purchased the family’s first home on Chicago’s Southside Whipple Street. Husband and Father While at GM, Nino became friends with co-workers from the small town Paras, Nuevo Leon. One friend, Mr. Hildebrando Ruiz, invited Nino to a church dance on the Southside of Chicago so he could meet young ladies from the town of Paras. At the dance, he met Francisca M. Bacerott (“Mune”) on August 6th, 1966. They began a courtship the following year in June. And exchanged marriage vows on December 30th, 1967. Nino and Mune had three children: Marcelino III (aka Nino, Ninito), Ramsey, and Lizette. The young family lived on Millard Street in the Little Villiage neighborhood of Chicago. In January 1979, Nino moved his young family to the southwest suburb, Summit IL to have a shorter work commute and to be closer to his parents and younger siblings. Nino was known for being a workaholic. Primo Baldemar Benavides (†) would often joke when GM wasn’t offering overtime, Nino would cross the street and inquire if they were offering work at Vulcan Quarry. At home, he would continue working on projects around the house or in his garage. Leisure Activity He enjoyed watching western movies. His favorite was John Wayne, but he also enjoyed Bruce Lee, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, Clint Eastwood, Pedro Infante, and Cantinflas. His all-time favorite movie was the 1976 remake of King Kong starring Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lang. The movie Castaway starring Tom Hanks was a close second. As for American TV shows, he enjoyed John Ritter (Three’s Company), Michael Landon (Little House on the Prairie), and Bill Bixby’s (The Incredible Hulk). As for Spanish TV, he enjoyed the telenovela “Chispita” starring a young Lucero. The music artists he most admired were Pedro Infante and Jose Alfredo Jimenez. Their music always played in the background while he worked on home improvement projects. He also loved to barbecue at home and at family get-togethers at Cermak Park in Lyons, IL. His children have fond memories of family trips with him to the drive-in, Lake Michigan, local zoos, Six Flags, Wisconsin Dells, Michigan, birthday and graduation celebrations at home, and yearly trips to Mexico for family visits. Nino enjoyed hosting friends and family. Beer and snacks were never far away for his friends and family to enjoy, with popcorn a strong favorite. A return from a trip to San Vicente, Mexico meant sharing a favorite pastry, turcos, with parents and siblings. He had a passion for singing at all weddings, parties, and gatherings he attended so long as there was a mariachi or a guitar player present. Post Retirement In March of 1993, Nino retired from GM with a beautiful retirement ceremony organized by his employer. In November of 1996, Nino and his wife began their extended stay at their 2nd home in Paras NL. In 2000, they sold their Summit IL home. A few years later, they purchased a new home in Mission Texas. Periodically, Nino and his wife would visit the Chicago – Metro area where his children continued to reside. While in Chicago, he enjoyed dining on Italian Beefs, White Castle hamburgers, and Chicago style pizza. Most importantly, he cherished catching up with many of his “Chicago friends” and former neighbors. Life in Mission TX and Paras NL The final chapter in Nino’s life consisted of many things. Although he suffered and survived a mild heart attack in 2012, it didn’t preclude him from enjoying life. He returned to his routine of barbecuing and drinking with close friends. Nino’s retirement friends included: Brother in-law - Mr. Carlos Sanchez, Mr. Lauro Gutierrez, Mr. Librado Garza, Mr. Sergio Sacanelles, Mr. Saul Garza, Mr. Juan Rogers Garza, Mr. Casimiro Hinojosa, long time dearest Compadre Mr. Horacio Ayala, Mr. Dionisio “Nicho” Maldonado (†), Mr. Fernando Cantu (†), Mr. Rogelio Garcia (†) and a few others. Love and Family In closing, Nino loved his immediate and extended family. He honored his mother deeply while she was alive. He always ensured whenever time allowed to shovel her gangway and front sidewalk during heavy snowfalls. Visits to any fast food restaurants often involved ordering for two households. Until he relocated to Paras NL and Texas, he aimed to provide for her whenever possible. As a loving son and older brother, he would do anything for parents and siblings. His siblings knew they could rely on Nino with anything during a time of need. Nino demonstrated his love to his immediate family by being the quintessential provider. He was renowned for his generosity and his ability to carry on entertaining conversations with his family and friends. He was very friendly and enjoyed meeting people he did not know. His wife would joke that he would lift up rocks to greet them too! Nino’s years as a grandfather allowed him to pour his love into his grandchildren. Toward his later years, he would become emotional while stating that everything he built was for his grandchildren. They were his crowning glory and he unconditionally loved them, immensely enjoying their visits. He often expressed his wish that they lived closer. Nino will be missed by many. Most notably by his wife of 53 years, Mune, their children Nino (52), Ramsey (49) and his wife Malu, Lizette (47) and her husband James, along with his ten grandchildren: Kezia, Asher, Ramsey Jr, Isabella, Judah, Gianna, Miranda, Olivia, Levi, and Franceska; and Nino’s eight siblings, including many nieces and nephews from the Bacerott and Chapa families. Many have expressed their condolences and shared fond, loving memories of him. Nino will always be remembered as a loving husband and father, amazing grandfather, and friend to all. He will be forever loved and missed. Visitation will be Friday, 2-7 pm, at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco.