Marcelo Daniel Reyna
November 15, 1969 - December 19, 2020

Marcelo Daniel Reyna, 51, passed on Dec. 19, 2020 from COVID-19 related complications.

Marcelo was born in Orange, NJ, and moved with his family to Springfield, NJ, where he graduated from Jonathan Dayton Regional High School. He spent summers caddying at Baltusrol and late nights enjoying live music in the NY/NJ area. Marcelo attended the University of Notre Dame, obtaining his architecture degree in 1993. He relocated to Phoenix, AZ, practicing for many years as a project manager.

In his profession, Marcelo focused on projects related to public services, including several on tribal lands. He was active with the local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, serving as the Community Education Chair for AZ Greenbuild in 2009 and publishing an article on green building in the Real Estate Finance Journal in 2010.

Marcelo and Nicole Yarnovich met in 1999, the initial rush of a shared appreciation for Lloyd Dobler and Robert Smith maturing into a sustained appreciation for "Say Anything" and the Cure. Marcelo and Nicki married in 2002, welcoming son Owen in 2004 and daughter Zoe in 2007.

Marcelo was immensely proud of his children, always eager to share their accomplishments and escapades with others. He coached both in soccer, and supported Owen and Zoe in their academics and other activities. He loved volunteering at their school, especially covering lunch duty wearing a red apron stuffed with ketchup and plastic utensils, as well as teaching Art Masterpiece.

Marcelo played, coached, and watched plenty of soccer, with the enviable perk of being able to cheer on family and friends from youth to professional competition. Soccer provided a complement to Marcelo's enthusiasm for travel and conversation. Whether visiting family in Argentina, studying architecture in Italy, cheering on his brother at the World Cup, or traveling for his children's soccer tournaments, Marcelo reveled in experiencing new places and cultures. Wherever there were new people to meet or friendships to deepen, he was in his element. He had a special knack for connecting with everyone he met and introducing others.

For many years Marcelo and Nicki continued a tradition of hosting a Christmas party to collect Toys for Tots donations before passing the tradition along to the next family. The party gave Marcelo the chance to work the room one more time before year end, an experience many of us miss acutely this year.

Marcelo is survived by Nicki, Owen, and Zoe; parents Miguel and Lourdes; and brother Claudio (Danielle) and was predeceased by his nephew, Jack. Marcelo will be missed greatly by his many nieces and nephews and countless friends. He contributed to a legacy of building projects that will continue to serve the public long after his passing.

As much as Marcelo enjoyed a gathering of friends and family (and he truly did), no services will be held at this time. His family hopes to hold a memorial at a later date, and you are encouraged to share your memories here until then.

In lieu of flowers, an account has been established for his family. For additional information, please contact marcelodreyna1@gmail.com.

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