Obituaries

Jun 16, 2014

Horacio Aguirre passed away on June 19th, 2014 at the age of 69. He was a resident of Aromas, CA for the past 40 years. He retired from C&V farms, where he worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for 35 years. He had a passion for raising farm animals, including chickens, roosters, and goats. He loved horseback riding, and...

Jun 16, 2014

Ray Kusumoto passed away on Monday June 16, 2014 at the age of 83. He was a lifelong resident of Watsonville.

During World War II, Ray and his family were relocated to the internment camp at Poston. After the war Ray returned to Watsonville and attended high school where he was widely regarded as a great athlete....

Jun 9, 2014

Jose Alejandro (Alex) Silva went home to heaven on June 9, 2014. He was born on September 7, 1994. He was 19 years old. Alex was a lifelong resident of Watsonville and a 2013 graduate of Pajaro Valley High School.

Alex always had a smile on his face and a willingness to help others. You could undoubtedly...

May 28, 2014

Passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's on May 28th. She was comforted by her family at a care facility.

Alice married Ernest Wong on August 15, 1948 in San Francisco. They had three wonderful boys, Michael (Kathy), Steven (Debbie) and Kelly. She also leaves behind six grandchildren Devin, Megan,...

May 17, 2014

Margaret Challoner Rider, born in Shanghai, China, passed away in Watsonville at the age of 93 on Saturday May 17, 2014. Trained as a nurse Margaret was a homemaker during her married life. While her children were growing up she was involved with PTA. Later she was active with the Pink Ladies at Watsonville Community Hospital. Her husband Clinton...

May 13, 2014

Alfonso La Grange Jr., a long-time resident of Watsonville, passed away on May 13, 2014 at the age of 79.

Alfonso was born on February 28, 1935 in Eagle Pass, Texas to his parents Alfonso and Ninfa La Grange.

He came to California when he was 17 and lived with his Uncle Griff and Aunt...

May 10, 2014

Jaime Kiroga Orozco, a long-time resident of Watsonville, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the age of 52. Jaime was born on April 20, 1962 in Jalisco Mexico to Alberto and Concepcion Kiroga Orozco. He loved to play the guitar, make up songs, volunteer for his community and help his friends. Jaime was a great person that will...

May 7, 2014

Eugene "Gene" Garcia, a long-time resident of Watsonville, peacefully passed away on May 7, 2014 at the age of 88. Eugene was born on July 31, 1925 in Watsonville, California to Anthony and Constance Garcia. For 67 years, Mr. Garcia worked in Farm Equipment Repair and for most of those years he owned his own company. Eugene enjoyed attending...

May 7, 2014

After a short illness, Mildred Imogene Stone joined her Husband, daughter and granddaughter on May 7 2014.She was 81.

Mildred loved fishing, camping, reading, square dancing and enjoyed family time.

She is survived by her children Barbara and Dallas Matta, Richard and Deanna Stone, Gail and Randy Reaves and Michael and Cynthia Stone, 13 Grandchildren...

May 6, 2014

Robert K. Yamamoto, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on May 6, 2014. Bob was born and raised in Watsonville and was blessed to have lived 90 years.

During World War II, Bob was interned in Poston Camp II with his family and then served in the U.S. Army with the Military Intelligence Service...

May 2, 2014

Bonnie Rice, 68, a long time resident of Watsonville, went to heaven Friday, May 2, 2014. She was born June 23, 1945 and grew up in Oakland. Bonnie was a devoted elementary school teacher and taught for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

Bonnie was a beloved member in Twin Lakes Church and was very active in...

Apr 29, 2014

Clarence Earl Totten, of Watsonville, CA passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and children on April 29, 2014. He was born in Aromas, CA to Earl and Sadie Totten on August 24, 1916. He lived in Aromas until 1955, when he moved to Watsonville for the remainder of his life. Clarence attended grammar school in...

Apr 21, 2014

Margaret Jean Richardson Elliott was born November 15, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and went home to be with the Lord on April 21, 2014. At age sixteen she began the nursing program at Saint Margaret's Memorial Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She completed her training program and worked as a registered nurse for over forty years. Margaret, known as Peggy...

Apr 18, 2014

Richard "Dick" Shigeki Ishibashi passed away on April 18, 2014 at Watsonville Community Hospital. He was 84 years old. Born on September 3, 1929 in San Jose, California to Father, Kiyoshi Ishibashi and Mother Shigeyo Ishibashi.

During World War II, Richard and his family were interned in Heart Mountain, Wyoming. He was a veteran of the Korean...

Apr 17, 2014

On Thursday, April 17th, 2014 Jewell Christine Helms passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones. Jewell was born on August 31, 1929 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Her life was committed to her family and their happiness. Jewell will be missed by all that knew her and especially her close family and friends. Jewell leaves behind her beloved children; Dianne...

Apr 12, 2014

On Saturday, April 12, 2014 Esperanza Serrato passed away in Salinas, California at the age of 41. Esperanza was born on March 30, 1973 in Salinas, California. She leaves behind her sons, Andrew and David Esparza and her parents; Esperanza and Roberto Serrato Sanchez. Esperanza will also be lovingly remembered by her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and other family...

Apr 10, 2014

On Thursday, April 10th 2014, Lorenzo Lopez passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home at the age of 58. Lorenzo was born on January 15, 1956 in Tierras Blancas MichoacA�n, Mexico to Lorenzo and Eulalia Lopez. Mr. Lopez worked in agriculture for over 40 years. He enjoyed playing and watching soccer, but most of all his...

Apr 9, 2014

Ruben Villanueva, Sr. died peacefully on April 9, 2014 he was 75 years old born on December 4, 1938 In Sinton, Texas. He moved to Watsonville in his early childhood where his family settled. He met his wife Mary Ann in Watsonville they were married for 53 years. Together they had 3 children, Ruben, Jr., Veronica and Valerie. Ruben...

Apr 6, 2014

David Valenzuela, 65, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2014 in Watsonville, where he was also born on May 19, 1948. He was a lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County and was self-employed. David enjoyed dabbling in auto and real estate sales for many years and had successful hunting and fishing trips during his life. He enjoyed BBQs with...

Apr 5, 2014

Gerald "Jerry" Edsberg was born January 26, 1938 and passed away Saturday, April 5, 2014 peacefully surrounded by loved ones on April 5, 2014. He was a hardworking father who devoted himself to his family and friends. At times in his life, when most people would give up, he kept fighting. He was strong, loving, and we were all...