Family, friends, and colleagues filled the San Fernando Cathedral Wednesday evening, as they memorialized County Commissioner Paul Elizondo.
Along with County Judge Nelson Wolff, former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros paid homage to Elizondo, who died Dec. 27 at age 83.
Cisneros attributed Elizondo’s background as a Marine, an educator, and a musician as all factors that played a part in his day-to-day life as a commissioner.
WATCH | The funeral mass for Paul Elizondo at San Fernando Cathedral
“His skill as a musical arranger enabled him to compose an intricate plan for the county and the proper sequence,” Cisneros said, “and as a musician, he was trained to listen.”
He also reflected on Elizondo’s final days, including the last Christmas spent with his loved ones.
“His race was run. His body would no longer respond to his will, but God gave him and his family that final moment of warmth of Christmas light, of cheer and laughter and love,” Cisneros said., “And then, 60 hours later, the Lord said, it’s time now, and took Paul home.”
Under the Clinton administration, Cisneros served as U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary, and the Clintons sent a letter to Elizondo’s family, which Cisneros shared with mourners.
“Hillary and I will always be grateful for all the good he did for the community he loved, as well as the extraordinary personal kindness, friendship, and support he showed us over the years,” said Cisneros, reading the letter.
Bill Clinton added in the letter that he and Hilary Clinton joined all of San Antonio in celebrating Elizondo’s life and legacy.
The service concluded in song, as musicians gathered around Elizondo’s flag-draped casket and played the traditional Mexican song “Las Golondrinas” as a final farewell.
A funeral mass is Thursday at 10 a.m. at San Fernando Cathedral, and the public is invited to view the procession route to pay last respects.
Norma Martinez can be reached at norma@tpr.org and on Twitter @NormDog1, and Lauren Terrazas can be reached at lauren@tpr.org and on Twitter @terrazas_lauren
