Marcos Antonio Vidal-Davila

Marcos Antonio Vidal-Davila, of Lumberton, passed away suddenly on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mt. Holly. He was 87. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Jorge and Manuela (Davila) Vidal. Marcos joined the Army at the age of 17 to build a better life for the love of his life, Carmen. After basic training, he was stationed at Mt. Ephraim, NJ, with the 35th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade, 19th Battalion, as an Artillery Team Leader. At age 20, Marcos married Carmen, who was 21, on December 20, 1957, in Puerto Rico. Within a month of marriage, Marcos reported to his new duty station in Honolulu, Hawaii. Carmen followed 10 months later with their newborn son. The couple had another son while in Hawaii and, seven years later in Panama, had a daughter. In Panama, Marcos became a member of the Special Forces/Green Beret and later transitioned to the 101st Airborne for his tour in Vietnam. Marcos served for over 30 years in the United States Army and retired as a Sergeant Major. He settled in New Jersey and built his home in Lumberton. In civilian life, he became a realtor and later ran a non-profit organization in Philadelphia, developing and transitioning urban environments into communities for the underprivileged. He was a leader in his church community, serving as a Deacon at Christ the Redeemer Church in Mount Holly and presiding as Grand Knight of his chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Life was his hobby; helping others, loving his family, and taking care of Carmen were his greatest joys. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Carmen; children, Marcos A. Vidal, Orlando Vidal, and Michele Romano (Michael); grandchildren, Jillian Romero (Robert), Cassandra Nesby (Darius), Kelsey Vidal, Tyler Vidal (fiancé Jazmine Giovino), and Colin A. Gelak; great-grandchildren, Mckenna and Brooklyn Nesby; siblings, Merna Cotto, Hector Vidal, Elba Gallagher, Dolly Bauer, and Michael Vidal; numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his siblings, Julie Diaz, Charlie Vidal, and Georgina Sullivan. Relatives, friends and Veteran are invited to attend his viewing on Tuesday, January 14th from 9:45-10:45 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St., Mt. Holly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM at the church. Interment to follow at Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Wrightstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Marcos’ memory to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)

Marcos Antonio Vidal-Davila

June 18, 1937 - January 3, 2025