Mariano was born in May 22, 1918 in New Mexico, possibly around Colonias. Although he was my cousin, because of the age difference he seemed more like an uncle to me. He always seemed to be the calmest of the Garde boys and I don't ever recall seeing him angry. The younger Gardes brought a whole new dimension to a popular TV boxing program "The Friday Night Fights".While visiting their house you could watch the fights on TV or watch a couple of them go at it. I wasn't old enough, or big enough at the time but I think my brother Bob had a round or two with them.

Mariano was an Army Ranger in the Pacific during World War II. His story, and that of his brother's is worthy of a Hollywood script. Two of Mariano's brothers, Arthur and Pascual, were taken captive when the Philline Islands fell to the Japanese in early 1942. Arhtur died of dysentery in May 1942 but Pascual survived until Oct 1944 when his ship was sunk enroute to Japan. Their fate was unknown to Mariano. On Jan 30, 1945, Mariano and others from the 6th Ranger Batallion raided the prison camp at Cabanatuan. Mariano rushed in only discover that Arthur's died in 1942 and that Pascual had shipped out to Japan three months earlier.

Mariano and his wife Berta had three children, a daughter Norma and sons Mariano Jr. and ??.

Mariano Sr.passed away Jan.28, 2000. Berta and her children live in Simi Valley, California.