Marco Arano, Jr. is remembered as a very special, “always respectful,” good son. His love was unconditional towards his grandparents, parents, and brothers. His friends returned his love, as well. Marco Jr. was very cheerful and had a wonderful sense of humor – he was always laughing and smiling at all those whose paths he crossed.

Marco Jr. grew up giving to those most in need. As a child, he lived in El Salvador where it was customary to have tortillas delivered to the home. One day, a young shirtless boy around the age of seven delivered the family’s tortillas. The next day, the same boy came back, but this time well-dressed in shirts similar to Marco’s. Marco Jr. later confessed that he had given his holiday clothes to the boy who needed them more than he did.

Marco Jr. became a dental hygienist and was attending school to become a dentist. During Christmas, his mother Elsa would accompany him to buy gifts for his coworkers. “It was a very large list,” Elsa remembered. “The best gifts were for the maintenance workers and the children of his co-workers.”

Marco Jr.’s life was cut short at the early age of 28. Elsa believes that “the world would be a better place if it were filled with kind people like Marco Jr. who only gave smiles, love and was happy by giving to the needy. We are sure that he is happy in Heaven because he fulfilled his mission on Earth by donating his organs to five families. Five families are very happy, and we are proud to say that our son Marco Jr. was a great hero. We thank Donate Life and OneLegacy for presenting the opportunity to donate Marco Jr.’s organs and thus fulfill his final wish to continue to give life and joy.”