Mariano Antonio Enrique Knox Sr., 77, passed away on the morning of Saturday May 6, 2023 at his residence in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Mariano, known lovingly as Ricky, was born on June 14, 1945 to Deryck Collin Knox and Maria Engracia (Moreno) Knox in Trinidad. They migrated to the United States shortly after. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York with his 4 sisters, Maria-Luisa Victoria Mercado, Maria-Yolanda Teresa Pagal, Debra Rowena Knox and Josephine Grace Rios, and 2 cousins, Sharon Vila and Antonio Punnett.
Mariano graduated from East New York high school in 1964, then he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served two tours in Vietnam, and completed a Bachelor’s degree and two Masters degrees. He served 26 years in the US Air Force and retired as Captain in 1990.
In 1971, Mariano met Hsiu Mei at CCK Air Force Base in Taichung, Taiwan. Mariano and Hsiu Mei were married in 1973 and went on to have 3 children; Mariano (Mario) Antonio Knox Jr., Andre Simón Knox, and Jose Enrique Knox.
In 2013, Mariano retired from civil service and spent much of his time golfing with friends (including his best friend Earl), traveling with his wife and family, and taking care of his grandchildren. Mariano and Hsiu Mei enjoyed many cruises and traveled the world, including trips to Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. In 2018 he purchased his retirement home in Encanterra Country Club, Queen Creek, Arizona. There he spent his days golfing with his son and granddaughter, enjoying his backyard view of holes 6 and 7, collecting golf balls in the ponds, and enjoying time with his wife, his children and his grandchildren.
Mariano is survived by his wife, Hsiu Mei Knox; his oldest sonm Mariano (Mario) Antonio Knox Jr. (wife Claudia E. Knox); his youngest son, Dr. Jose (Jay) Enrique Knox (wife Monica Y. Knox); his six grandchildren, Dylan Fernando Knox (age 16), Elizabeth Mei-Ling Knox (age 9), Caleb Nicolas Knox (age 8), Amelia Grace Knox (age 5), Myles Asher Knox (age 2), and Jonathan Elliot Knox (age 1); his mother, Maria Engracia Knox (age 101); his 3 sisters, Luisa Mercado, Debra Knox, and Josephine Rios; his 3 nephews and 6 Nieces, Anita Prince, Martin Mercado, Maritza Knox, Annmarie Jimenez, Karen Mercado Cayton, Alexandria Logan, Lenny Rodriguez, Christopher Rodriguez, and Jennifer Jagnanan. Mariano is also survived by, loved, and celebrated by many more aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews.
Mariano is preceded in death by his father, Deryck C. Knox; his sister, Yolanda Pagal; his son, Andre Simón Knox; his grandson, Joseph Henry Knox; and his great-nephew, Gage Prince.
A military funeral honors service for Capt. Mariano A. Knox Sr. will take place at the Veterans Garden of Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona on Friday May 19, 2023 at 12pm. A celebration of life reception will follow, details will be shared soon. His remains will later be taken to his final resting place at the historic Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests condolence cards be sent to Hsiu Mei Knox at 36018 N. Secret Garden Path, Queen Creek, AZ, 85140.
