Sidney Marques

Longtime local resident Sidney Marques passed away May 19, 2026. Sidney Marques was born on August 15, 1927 in Hanford, CA to Mary and John Marques Sr. When he was 5 years old, the family moved to Morro Bay, CA. He went to elementary school in Morro Bay and then attended San Luis Obispo Junior and Senior High schools. He was always grateful to the Ferrini Family for taking him in while he worked and went to high school. He was hired by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1947 as a signalman helper with the signal crew. They installed and replaced signal lines where needed from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. In August 1951, he was drafted into the Army. He met his wife Isabel Borba of San Rafael while in the service when stationed in San Francisco. They were married in November 1953 when he returned home from the Army. They purchased their home in San Luis Obispo, where they lived for over 65 years. He returned to the Southern Pacific Railroad in the signal department but was assigned to the signal crew in Watsonville. He and the other men lived in an outfit car (a boxcar remodeled into living quarters). He would come home to San Luis Obispo on Friday night and leave again on Monday morning to Watsonville. During that time heir daughters were born, Beverly in 1958 and Darlene in 1963. He was still working in Watsonville when his boss in San Francisco informed him there would be a new position coming up at the Vandenburg AFB. Sid bid on the job and got it. He retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad with 42 years of service. After he retired, he was hired as rail consultant for a Fiber Optic Company, under the direction of Jim Tomisini, installing fiber optic cable on the Southern Pacific Right of Way. Sid was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and a founding member of the Sunshine Boys. Sid was preceded in death by his wife Isabel (isie) Lorraine Marques, parents, five brothers, two sisters an infant son Larry. He is survived by his daughters, Beverly (Gary) and Darlene ( Charlie), brother Robert Marques, and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Shriners Children's Hospital.

Sidney Marques

August 15, 1927 - May 19, 2026