Abdiel Maldonado

December 15th, 1977 - August 21st, 2022

Memorial

Mementos

Loved Ones

Abdiel Manuel Maldonado, aged 44, residing in Santa Ana, CA passed away on August 21, 2022, after a long battle with Lung Cancer.

Abdiel, born on December 15, 1977, grew up in Asbury Park, NJ. Upon graduating from high school, Abdiel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Abdiel is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. For his service, he earned a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation - Navy, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. He served honorably in the Marines, retiring at the rank of First Sergeant.

After his military career, Abdiel pursued a higher education, as he believed his educational achievement would also open doors for his children. He obtained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of California Irvine, a Masters in Human Resources from the University of Southern California, and professional designations from the Society of Human Resources Management and Human Resource Standards Institute.

Abdiel’s experience in the Marines played a very important role in his life. He frequently pointed out that the Marines taught him the value of discipline, teamwork, and investing in a cause larger than himself. His time in the service also infused his passion for helping others achieve their success. Upon ending his military service, he continued to help others and paying it forward as a Human Resource professional and Veteran Transition Mentor. His ultimate goal was to help transitioning service members and their families find meaningful employment after their military careers. When he was not helping others, Abdiel loved running, traveling, and spending quality time with his family.

Abdiel is survived by Angie Maldonado and his 3 boys - Abdiel Jr, Alejandro, and Antonio.

Navarro Funerals and Cremations will host a Rosary Service at 10 am and Funeral Service at 11 am for Abdiel at Saint Cecilia Church, 1301 Sycamore Avenue, Tustin, CA 92780 on Friday, September 2, 2022. Followed by interment at Rose Hills Cemetery, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life immediately following interment. We will gather together to remember an amazing man, who will be greatly missed. More details on the location will be shared in a few days.   

As you all know Abdiel, he was not one for sadness but hope. He was of life and color. We encourage you to wear clothing that represents this for you. As a hint, blue was his favorite color.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Abdiel’s legacy, we encourage you to make a donation to one of the following organizations:

Longevity - Find it. Treat It. Live.  https://fundraise.lungevity.org/campaign/Abdiel-Maldonado
American Lung Association - To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.  https://action.lung.org/site/Donation
Vet CTAP - Help Support our Veterans.  https://www.vetctap.org/donate.html
University of California - Irvine , Military Student Bridging the Gap Scholarship https://dev.veteran.uci.edu/giving.php

Events

PAST EVENT

Celebration of Life

Sept 2nd, 2022

10:00 - 16:30

(GMT-7:00) Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Resting Place

Rose Hills Mortuary

34.01558479999999, -118.0404731

Tributes

Share a favourite memory, send condolences, and honour Abdiel’s life with a heartfelt message.

María Jaramillo

I am so sorry for your loss. I just found out. He was always so positive and full of wisdom. Praying for you and your family.

Published January 17th, 2023

John Engstrom

I have known Ab for many years. As retired Marines, Ab and I shared a passion for helping veterans. In my volunteer role with the Business Transition Seminar at Camp Pendleton, I staff and moderate the panels. Whenever Ab was available, he would serve on my Veterans Panel up to 3 times per year. Yesterday, was the first time I have moderated this panel since I lost my dear brother Ab. One of the other panel members mentioned one thing that Ab would always mention, "Has anybody read the book What Color Is Your Parachute?" and another panel member did her best to tell everyone that they should smile and not look so serious. Ab would actually say that everyone needed to get rid of their constipated look! Myself and all of the panel members that he participated with miss him dearly. He was dearly loved by all of us and will not be forgotten. Semper Fi my dear brother! John Engstrom

Published October 6th, 2022

Nathan Wood

I served with Ab in California, and we deployed together to Afghanistan in 2010-2011. We stayed in close touch afterward and became good friends. Ab was one of the finest men and best Marines I've ever known. When we met more than a decade ago, I was a brand new second lieutenant and he was a grizzled gunnery sergeant. He taught me so much about how to be a professional, about how to lead Marines, and about how to handle the stress of the job (his secret: laugh, a lot!). Because we worked together so closely, we took to calling ourselves Batman and Robin--he was Batman, and I was Robin. Later on, after we both left the unit, we got back together to run races with Staff Sergeant James Carey, one of our Marines who had been injured in a training accident. Ab poured his heart and soul into those races and into lifting James' spirits. I spoke with James the other day and shared the news that Ab had passed. James was devastated, and asked that I express his condolences. Ab made a big impression on James. My lasting memories of Ab are of his smile and his ability to connect with everyone around him. He made me a better Marine and a better person, and he set the example for how to be a husband and father. I will always remember Ab, and I will always be grateful for his friendship. I will miss him very much. Semper fidelis, Ab!

Published September 25th, 2022

Kevin Greenhalgh

this is truly sad to see.. this man literally changed my life for the better. I don't know where I would be in my life if it wasn't for him. I was his first contract as a marine when he became a recruiter out of New York. I looked up to him. he believed in me when I was just a punk kid surrounded by no good people. the last time I got to speak to him was when he got stationed in California after finishing his tour as a recruiter. it is 11pm in New York right now and I was thinking about him so I searched him on Google to see if I could reach out and make contact with him to see how him and his family are. and I came across this. I honestly don't know how to put how I'm feeling into words.. he was a great man and will be truly missed. R.I.P. 1stSgt Maldonado.

Published January 12th, 2023