Cesario J. Saragoza, or Chio as he was fondly known, was born in Bakersfield, Calif., to Celedonio and Carmen Zaragoza.
Chio passed away on March 4, 2013, at age 89.
At age two, Chio arrived in Battle Mountain with his parents, who came to work for the railroad. Except for his time in the Army, Chio lived in Battle Mountain all his life. He attended Battle Mountain High School until he enlisted in the Army at age 17. He proudly served in the 448 Artillery Battalion from 1943 to 1945 until the war ended. He was honorably discharged as Private First Class. He served as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Frances Muncey Post Unit No. 15, until he passed.
Chio worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 42 years. He started out as a laborer and continued to rise in rank until he retired as a Track Supervisor. Chio married Aurora Vigil, originally from Pilar, N.M., in 1946, at St John Bosco Catholic Church.
Chio and Aurora were blessed with a long and happy marriage of 66 years. They raised their three children, Becky, Consuelo and Rick in Battle Mountain.
Chio was an avid sports fan and never missed his grandson's football and baseball games. In his younger days he loved to go out on the town with Aurora and their friends to dance and socialize. They travelled as far away as Salt Lake to attend dance parties that were all the rage in the 60s and 70s, earning him the moniker of Charlie and his Angels. Chio is survived by his wife Aurora; daughter Becky Murphy, her husband Brian Murphy and their sons Patrick and Mathew; daughter Consuelo Saragoza, her partner Suzanne Washington and their daughter Antonia; and son Rick Saragoza. Chio will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations in memory of Chio to be given to the Lander County Museum or the Battle Mountain Cemetery. Services were held on March 11, 2013, in Battle Mountain at St. John Bosco Catholic Church.[[In-content Ad]]
