Mario Salamanca Marquez, 86, of Manhattan, Illinois, and formerly of Chicago’s Pilsen community, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of 64 years to Maria Salamanca and a cherished father to Rose (Steve) Laws, Minerva (Enrique) Seija, Norma (Juan) Nunez, Mario Salamanca, Flavia (Manuel) Ortega, and Monica Salamanca.
He was a proud grandfather of Robert (Allison), Erika (Jonathan), Erik (Stephanie), Andrew, the late Nadia, Danielle, Taylor, Diana, Madison Maria, Marlene A., Manuel A., Armando J., and Emilio, and great-grandfather of Gabriel, Noah, Kaylee, Sebastian, and Beckman. Mario will also be remembered fondly by his many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A man respected for his integrity and leadership, Mario dedicated his life to public service. He served as profesor at Escuela Marcos Vives and Secundaria #7 in Cerritos, San Luis Potosí, Mexico; secretario of Capilla de San Francisco in San Luis Potosí; presidente of the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) in San Luis Potosí; and as a board member and president for several community organizations in Chicago, including Centro de la Causa, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, and El Valor Corporation. He also served as PTO president at Benito Juarez High School. Mario’s commitment to both the United States and his homeland of Mexico reflected his dedication to community, faith, and family.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th Street just west of Harlem), and Monday, December 1, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. until prayers at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Daniel the Prophet Church at 10 a.m. Mario will be laid to rest next to his granddaughter at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.