Vicente Cardenas Borja, a native of Ceibas Altas, Michoacan, Mexico, died Oct. 7 after a brief illness at age 74. Born July 9, 1947, he was raised on a farm with his parents and 10 siblings. At age six, he moved to Mexico DF to live with his sister, Balbina Borja, before returning to the farm as a teenager. He later moved to San Lucas, Michocan where he worked with teachers to provide education for youngsters in remote, underserved areas. He also helped found the San Lucas Soccer Club and was affectionately known as "El Guero de las Ceibas" for his light complexion and blue eyes. He emigrated to Pittsburg in 1974, reconnecting with his sister, Natividad Borja Campos. His then-wife, Florina Jimenez, and young family joined him in Pittsburg in 1977. He became a proud American citizen in 1996. He worked for over 20 years as a baker at Cardinale Bakery before moving to Lucky's where he worked until his retirement. He also enjoyed working at the New Mecca Cafe for over 20 years often catering to the Athletics, Giants, 49ers and Raiders. He lived with his sister, Maria Asuncion Borja, in downtown Pittsburg for over 25 years and shared over 15 years of love and adoration with his companion, Lucy Gutierrez. He was active in the community. He attended Sunday mass at the Church of St. Peter Martyr and volunteered to participate in church outreach activities to help the underprivileged. He was a member of the committee that got a relic from Verona, Italy, in memory of St. Peter Martyr to be placed in the church named for him. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, Guadalupanos and Knights of Columbus. He will be remembered for his warm smile and candor as he reached out to others. He loved to attend baseball games to watch his grandchildren and grand nephew and made it a point to return to Mexico frequently to visit friends and family.

Vicente is survived by his three loving children Apolinar Borja, Amalia Grinnsteinner and Vicente Borja Jr.; his grandchildren: Christian Blevins, Dominic Blevins, Emma Borja, and Hannah Borja; and his grand-niece and grand-nephew Marco Antonio Borja, and Sarah Alessandra Borja; nieces and nephews, Antonio Bailón Borja, Eduardo Longoria, Oscar Longoria, Constantino Borja, Alma Borja, Elena Borja, Victor Borja, Concepcion Luciano, Jacklyn Campos, Blanca Campos, Jerilynn Campos-Lemire, and many more. He is also survived by his sisters Maria Asunción Borja and Natividad Borja Campos. He was preceded in death by his parents, Apolinar Borja Torres and Amalia Cardenas de Borja and by his brothers and sisters; Costa Borja, Celestino Borja, Francisco Borja, Balbina Borja, Atanasio Borja, Rosa Borja, Romana Borja, and Arnulfo Borja.

Viewing will be Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 2:00 to 6:00pm with Rosary at 4pm at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel. Mass will be offered Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 10:00am at St. Peter Martyr Church. Committal services following at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2200 E. 18th St., Antioch.