Enrique "Henry" Moreniau Vega
December 7, 1934 – October 5, 2025

Enrique "Henry" Moreniau Vega, 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Born in Tucson, Arizona, on December 7, 1934, to Esteban Norzagaray Vega and Guadalupe Moreniau Vega.  Henry was the eighth of nine children. He was born at the Stork's Nest in downtown Tucson and remained a proud Tucsonan native his entire life.

Henry was a product of Tucson's public schools, attending El Rio Elementary (later renamed Manzo), Roskruge Middle School, and Tucson High School, graduating in the class of 1955. He went on to study at Pima Community College and Northern Arizona University, where he earned a degree in Vocational Industrial Woods and two minors, while working thirty-two hours a week at NAU (sending his $80.00 earnings home every two weeks to support his young family.)

Shortly after high school, Henry proudly served in the United States Navy, working in Naval Aviation aboard the USS Ticonderoga as a catapult specialist in the Western Pacific. Eight months into his service, he was recognized with the "Blue Jacket of the Month," a testament to his dedication and excellence. His time in the Navy allowed him to travel the world, experience other cultures, forge lifelong friendships, and honorably serve the country he loved. He was disciplined and tenacious with sending his paycheck home to his parents.  This tenaciousness garnered him the reputation of being successful in moneylending - to sailors who depleted their salary over the weekend.

In 1961, Henry met his wife, Alicia, a switchboard operator and sales associate at Jacome's Department Store. During this time, he was working at Tucson Warehouse.  Their paths crossed due to matchmaking co-worker efforts.  Together, they recently celebrated 62 years of marriage on August 31st.

Their love grew into a family of four children: Henry John "Rickey" (Patty), Monica (Ramon), Amanda (John), and Elsa. He leaves behind four grandchildren—Ramon Augustine Muñoz (Tiffany), Sophia Monique Gibbs (TJ), Gracie Alana Guerra, and Adam Anthony Guerra—and four great-grandchildren: Andres, Gemma, Ania, and Abram. He was devoted to his children sharing all the wisdom, guidance, and knowledge to support his children in being righteous, compassionate, and descent to our fellow human beings. He had unwavering love and cherished his role as a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his parents; all eight of his siblings—Guadalupe, Fernando, Jose, Ramon, Esteban, Ernesto, Carlota, and Hector—and his son, Edwardo Jose Felix.

Henry's professional life was marked by dedication and craftsmanship. He was "A Jack of All Trades".  He shared his talents and time with several family and friends who needed assistance.  He held several positions including:

*Typewriter repair technician at Howard and Stauft, 205 Congress Street, now part of the El Presidio Historic District
*Crane operator and mover at Tucson Warehouse and Transfer – 12 years
*Woodshop teacher at Salpointe Catholic High School
*Woodshop teacher at Santa Rita
*Substitute teacher – Pueblo HS, Tucson HS, Cholla HS, Ochoa Elementary
*Mentor at Vision Quest
*Self-employed custom woodworker
*Above all, a doting Father and Tata who never missed a moment to teach, build, or share wisdom.

A man of deep faith and community spirit, Henry gave generously of his time and talents after school and work. He served as:

*Cub Scout Pack Leader
*Little League coach
*Architectural Committee for the construction of the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center and later years in the operations TCE sub-committees
*Model Cities to develop social and economic needs of neighborhoods – emphasis on community participation and planning decision making  *President of the Concerned Parents Association at St. John's Catholic Church
*Founding member of the Unified Community Advisory Board (UCAB), advocating for environmental justice and water safety in Tucson since 1995.  Anyone interested in preserving groundwater quality and learning more about the process of removing contaminants may attend quarterly UCAB meetings in Tucson or online at 6pm. https://share.google/JbeIiCsioQeLmMi7b
*President of the Rose Neighborhood Association

Music was Henry's lifelong passion. Taught to play guitar by his mother and his father bought him his first guitar in 1947. At 13 years young, he won his first singing contest—his prize was a Mickey Mouse watch and a vinyl record. From there, his musical journey blossomed. He performed in a local "trio" in Barrio Hollywood (with two long life friends), and cherished the times he played Rancheras, Boleros, Sones, and Mariachi with his brothers and lovely cherished sister, Carlota.

In recent years, with encouragement from his family, he recorded a personal album at Zona Zero Studios, preserving his traditional 1930s guitar style and vocals. Wherever Henry went, his guitar followed. His music—and his infectious smile—brought joy to every gathering.

Henry lived his Catholic faith with conviction, humility, and joy. Whether offering a helping hand, a kind word, or a sweet treat, he was always striving to make the world a little better—one person (and one candy) at a time. He gave candies to everyone he met, just to spread kindness and a smile and lift someone's day and inspiring them to do the same.

Henry's legacy will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his faith, his generosity of spirit and goodwill, his dynamic gregarious personality filled with humor, decency, honesty, his advocacy to engage in community issues and his music.

Henry's family sincerely thanks you for your support, kindness, and prayers during this difficult time.