Ignacio C. Maldonado's Obituary
Ignacio Maldonado, born on August 12, 1941, in Phoenix, AZ, passed away on January 7, 2025, in Tucson, AZ, due to complications from cancer.
As the namesake of his father, a talented self-taught musician, Ignacio adopted his father's love for music, learning to play guitar and demonstrating proficiency in multiple instruments, including the Native Indian Flute and Congas. “Nacho’s” remarkable musical abilities facilitated extensive travel and numerous performances at diverse venues.
Throughout his life, Nacho, maintained a profound interest in astronomy and extraterrestrial life, which was shaped by his early experience with NASA in White Sands, New Mexico.
The liberty of the open road was a pleasure he experienced while RVing with his wife Kim and their puppies. His enthusiasm for aquatic activities drew him to Apache Lake, located near the Superstition Mountains, and Patagonia Lake, near the Mexico border, where he enjoyed boating. The calmness of star-filled skies, crisp mountain air, and sleeping under the stars was a source of solace. Throughout there relationship, Kim repeatedly informed him that he's the love of my life, and he would similarly express the same sentiment in return.
Following his retirement from the State of Arizona Office of Unemployment as an Adjudicator, Ignacio focused on nurturing his family relationships and was deeply loved by his family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, two siblings, and two sons. His legacy lives on through two brothers, one son, three daughters, twelve grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Ignacio's enduring musical legacy and commitment to family will be warmly remembered by all who knew and loved him.
What’s your fondest memory of Ignacio?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ignacio?
Share a story where Ignacio's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ignacio you’ll never forget.
How did Ignacio make you smile?