Aníbal “Chicho” Villarreal-Peña

Aníbal Villarreal-Peña, lovingly known as “Chichoâ€, 76, of Brownsville, Texas, entered into eternal rest on January 26th. Just like he handled every other experience in his life, Aníbal managed his health battle with strength and bravery. Aníbal is preceded in death by his parents Pedro and Ambrosia Villarreal of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, daughter Claudia Villarreal, and five siblings Régulo, Simon, Armando, Edelmiro, and Elida Villarreal.

He was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Guadalupe Villarreal, and his children Maricela (Jesus) Franco, Anabela (Hector L.) Almanza, Rene (Marylou) Villarreal, Sandra (Gerardo) Sánchez, Aníbal, Jr. (Erika G.) Villarreal, and Erika (Cindi) Bellanova, as well as a host of grandchildren Jesus Roberto, Rebecca, and Viviana Franco, Hector Luis, Jr. and Nicholas Almanza, Zavier, Larissa, Natalie, Bella, Mia, and Rene, Jr. Villarreal, and Valentina and Liam Villarreal. He is survived by his sister Lidia Recio and countless nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

One of Anibal’s biggest accomplishments was being a father. He loved his family more than life itself and was always there for them through their ups and downs. As a lifelong teacher and mentor, he taught them to enjoy every moment life has to offer and to think outside the box when the answer wasn’t obvious. He was very proud of all his children and their many accomplishments.

He had a brilliant mind and was the family problem-solver. He took the broken and made it whole again. No project was ever too difficult for him. He worked his whole life and unless his health forbade it, he never took a day off. He used to say that there would be plenty of time to rest when he died.

During the span of his life, he worked for multiple employers including Universal Canvas, AMFELS, and the Gladys Porter Zoo.

Aníbal Villarreal-Peña was a great man. He was strong, brave, and a fighter who never gave up.

Everyone always felt special around him because he made everyone feel like they were his favorite.

Unless the Astros were playing, in that case, nothing or no one else mattered. “Chicho†will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his intelligence, ingenuity, creativity, and engineering skills, and work-ethic but mostly for his quick wit and charming personality. Undeniably, the sun has set on an

amazing man.

The family will hold a service in celebration of his life on Friday, January 29, 2020 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. at the Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop (956) 350-8485 with the recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m. Services will conclude at the end of the evening. Cremation will follow. Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville. (956) 350-8485