Mariano Antonio Enrique Knox, Sr.
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Mariano Antonio Enrique Knox Sr., 77, passed away on the morning of Saturday May 6, 2023 at his residence in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Mariano, known lovingly as Ricky, was born on June 14, 1945 to Deryck Collin Knox and Maria Engracia (Moreno) Knox in Trinidad. They migrated to the United States shortly after. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York with his 4 sisters, Maria-Luisa Victoria Mercado, Maria-Yolanda Teresa Pagal, Debra Rowena Knox and Josephine Grace Rios, and 2 cousins, Sharon Vila and Antonio Punnett.
Mariano graduated from East New York high school in 1964, then he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served two tours in Vietnam, and completed a Bachelor’s degree and two Masters degrees. He served 26 years in the US Air Force and retired as Captain in 1990.
In 1971, Mariano met Hsiu Mei at CCK Air Force Base in Taichung, Taiwan. Mariano and Hsiu Mei were married in 1973 and went on to have 3 children; Mariano (Mario) Antonio Knox Jr., Andre Simón Knox, and Jose Enrique Knox.
In 2013, Mariano retired from civil service and spent much of his time golfing with friends (including his best friend Earl), traveling with his wife and family, and taking care of his grandchildren. Mariano and Hsiu Mei enjoyed many cruises and traveled the world, including trips to Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. In 2018 he purchased his retirement home in Encanterra Country Club, Queen Creek, Arizona. There he spent his days golfing with his son and granddaughter, enjoying his backyard view of holes 6 and 7, collecting golf balls in the ponds, and enjoying time with his wife, his children and his grandchildren.
Mariano is survived by his wife, Hsiu Mei Knox; his oldest sonm Mariano (Mario) Antonio Knox Jr. (wife Claudia E. Knox); his youngest son, Dr. Jose (Jay) Enrique Knox (wife Monica Y. Knox); his six grandchildren, Dylan Fernando Knox (age 16), Elizabeth Mei-Ling Knox (age 9), Caleb Nicolas Knox (age 8), Amelia Grace Knox (age 5), Myles Asher Knox (age 2), and Jonathan Elliot Knox (age 1); his mother, Maria Engracia Knox (age 101); his 3 sisters, Luisa Mercado, Debra Knox, and Josephine Rios; his 3 nephews and 6 Nieces, Anita Prince, Martin Mercado, Maritza Knox, Annmarie Jimenez, Karen Mercado Cayton, Alexandria Logan, Lenny Rodriguez, Christopher Rodriguez, and Jennifer Jagnanan. Mariano is also survived by, loved, and celebrated by many more aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews.
Mariano is preceded in death by his father, Deryck C. Knox; his sister, Yolanda Pagal; his son, Andre Simón Knox; his grandson, Joseph Henry Knox; and his great-nephew, Gage Prince.
A military funeral honors service for Capt. Mariano A. Knox Sr. will take place at the Veterans Garden of Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona on Friday May 19, 2023 at 12pm. A celebration of life reception will follow, details will be shared soon. His remains will later be taken to his final resting place at the historic Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests condolence cards be sent to Hsiu Mei Knox at 36018 N. Secret Garden Path, Queen Creek, AZ, 85140.
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Debra R Knox says: Dear brother may you rest in peace. Your baby sister will miss you dearly.
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Gwendolyn Glasgow-McElroy says:
My deepest sympathy for the entire
Knox family, may he rest in peace 🙏🏽
I have you all in my prayers 🙏🏽 ❤️ 🙏🏽
During this trying time , I 🤍U -
Gwendolyn Glasgow-Frazier says:
My deepest sympathy for the entire
Knox family, may he rest in peace 🙏🏽
I have you all in my prayers 🙏🏽 ❤️ 🙏🏽
During this trying time , I 🤍U -
Manuel Rios and family. says:
Sending all our love and condolences. Rest in peace 🙏 uncle Ricky.
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Maria Loudon says:
So thankful our family was able to meet Ricky! We first met during the pandemic and he and his wife Hsui Mei welcomed us into their home. We are holding all of you close to our hearts and pray for an easy transition for everyone.
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Josephine Rios says:
Rest In Peace my brother you will be missed by many love you, my condolences to our loving family and friends!
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Sherry Wu ,Michael & Allen Chang says:
Our deepest sympathy for the entire
Knox family, may Uncle rest in peace 🙏🏽
I have you all in our prayer. -
Paulette McMurray says:
To Hsiu Mae and the Knox family I am sorry for your loss. Mario became my big brother when I was assigned to Vandenberg AFB.
Mario had my back when need advice. Eventually I meet Hsiu Mae and his sons and the Knox family became my extended family for nearly 36 years. I know that Mario is ok because we pray the sacard prayer:
“Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo”
“Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo”
“Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo” -
Paulette McMurray says:
Mario thank you for being in my life and introducing to your family. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have known you. You made significant contributions in your duties as a, Red Horse Team, member in Viet Nam and a Weapon Systems Contracting Officer at Vanden Air Force Base. All that you did exemplified the Air Force motto “Protect and Serve. Thank You
Love and blessings, to you and your family. -
Araba says:
My grandmother told these words to comfort me when I was saying goodbye to her for the last time. She said, “We have loved and love never dies.” Our love lives on in the people we love. Keeping you in my prayers during this difficult time
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Jere O. Myers, Retired USAF E-8 says:
I knew Knox and Wife at CCK where my Wife “Susie” and Mei worked together. I knew Knox briefly and enjoyed his pleasant personality. We share the deepest sorrow that one of our loved ones passes.
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Stephen Feller says:
Mariano and I played golf a number of times at Encanterra. He is still listed as my golf partner in the registry. He will remain there as a tribute to his love of the game. I will miss him and his wonderful sense of humor.
Debra R Knox 
Gwendolyn Glasgow-McElroy 
Manuel Rios and family. 
Maria Loudon 
Josephine Rios 
Sherry Wu ,Michael & Allen Chang 
Paulette McMurray 
Araba 
Jere O. Myers, Retired USAF E-8 
Stephen Feller
Dear brother may you rest in peace. Your baby sister will miss you dearly.
My deepest sympathy for the entire
Knox family, may he rest in peace 🙏🏽
I have you all in my prayers 🙏🏽 ❤️ 🙏🏽
During this trying time , I 🤍U
My deepest sympathy for the entire
Knox family, may he rest in peace 🙏🏽
I have you all in my prayers 🙏🏽 ❤️ 🙏🏽
During this trying time , I 🤍U
Sending all our love and condolences. Rest in peace 🙏 uncle Ricky.
So thankful our family was able to meet Ricky! We first met during the pandemic and he and his wife Hsui Mei welcomed us into their home. We are holding all of you close to our hearts and pray for an easy transition for everyone.
Rest In Peace my brother you will be missed by many love you, my condolences to our loving family and friends!
Our deepest sympathy for the entire
Knox family, may Uncle rest in peace 🙏🏽
I have you all in our prayer.
To Hsiu Mae and the Knox family I am sorry for your loss. Mario became my big brother when I was assigned to Vandenberg AFB.
Mario had my back when need advice. Eventually I meet Hsiu Mae and his sons and the Knox family became my extended family for nearly 36 years. I know that Mario is ok because we pray the sacard prayer:
“Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo”
“Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo”
“Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo”
Mario thank you for being in my life and introducing to your family. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have known you. You made significant contributions in your duties as a, Red Horse Team, member in Viet Nam and a Weapon Systems Contracting Officer at Vanden Air Force Base. All that you did exemplified the Air Force motto “Protect and Serve. Thank You
Love and blessings, to you and your family.
My grandmother told these words to comfort me when I was saying goodbye to her for the last time. She said, “We have loved and love never dies.” Our love lives on in the people we love. Keeping you in my prayers during this difficult time
I knew Knox and Wife at CCK where my Wife “Susie” and Mei worked together. I knew Knox briefly and enjoyed his pleasant personality. We share the deepest sorrow that one of our loved ones passes.
Mariano and I played golf a number of times at Encanterra. He is still listed as my golf partner in the registry. He will remain there as a tribute to his love of the game. I will miss him and his wonderful sense of humor.