All Obituaries

As lifelong devoted pastor, educator, activist and community leader, Tomas T. Alejo, 74, passed away on October 9 in Phoenix, Arizona after a 10-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children, wife and other family members. Tomas left a legacy of fighting for social and political change in Watsonville and Phoenix, Arizona. He was born on March 16, 1946 in the Southern Texas border region of Weslaco to a humble migrant farmworker family. They migrated from South Texas to...

Cirilo Regalado Guijosa passed away, peacefully, surrounded by family on Sept. 5, 2020. He was 47. Cirilo was born on March 9, 1973 in La Virgen Municipio de Tarandacuao Guanajuato, Mexico to Alfredo and Audelia Regalado. Cirilo moved to the U.S. at the age of 15. He was previously married for 20 years and had four children. He cultivated crops, raised livestock, and was able to survive off his land to provide for his family. He was very giving and liked growing strawberries and harvest eggs...

Enriqueta Lira passed away on September 1, 2020. She was 89. She was born on July 15, 1931 to Margarito and Emilia Herrera in Mexicali, Mexico. She was married for 31 years to Luis Lira. She loved to listen to music and was a great dancer back in the day. She was a wonderful cook and was always ready to share her special menudo and tamales. Her grandchildren always looked forward to her delicious stuffing at Thanksgiving. Enriqueta was a very classy lady who liked to dress nice and always...

Alfonso Iñiguez Oropeza died peacefully surrounded by his family on August 27, 2020. He was 74 years old. He was born on May 22, 1946 in Cañadas de Obregon, Jalisco, Mexico. He migrated to the United States in 1961 at the age of 15. He attended U.C. Berkeley where he received his master’s degree in Bilingual Education Administration. After that, he worked at Lake Tahoe Unified School District. He came to Watsonville in 1984 and worked for North Monterey County School...

Renee Jobst Anderson, age 73, passed away at home on August 24, 2020, surrounded in love by her family. Renee grew up in the Los Angeles area and attended George Washington High School. She was a talented musician, mastering the violin at an early age which earned her a scholarship to Pepperdine University. She was also a pianist and often played at home for family. Renee found joy in numbers and worked in accounting for 30 years alongside David J. Cecy and his family. The friendships and...

Othel Alvin “Al” Hopson passed away in Santa Cruz, California on August 23, 2020. Born in Arkansas in 1925, he joined the US Army Air Corps (Air Force) in 1943 and was stationed in Emporia, Kansas where he met and married his sweetheart, Marian Fleeker. They spent 75 years together before her passing in May of this year. During his military service, he served in Germany during WWII and flew in 7 missions. After leaving the service, he was hired by the United States Postal...

Noemi B. Garcia passed away on August 20, 2020 at her home. She was 89. Noemi was born on May 26, 1931 to Celestino and Petrona Luchetta in Arrivenos, Argentina. Raised by her father, they moved to Buenos Aires. She met her husband in 1957; owning a little produce stand. They moved to the United States in 1962 to Watsonville; where she continue to raise her family. She became an American citizen in 1973. Noemi worked for the textile industry, Green Giant, and a caretaker before retiring....

DAVID JOHN ROCK Jan. 5, 1948 ~ Aug. 20, 2020 David J. Rock went home to his Lord in Heaven on August 20th, 2020, at the age of 72. He passed away unexpectedly but was surrounded by his family. He was born in Watsonville, CA. on January 5th, 1948. David had an infectious smile that could light up any room. He was the life of the party and an all-around fun-loving guy. He enjoyed traveling the world and collecting beautiful pieces of art during his adventures, loved learning Italian,...

Luis Alberto Medina died on Aug. 20. He was 36 years old. Mr. Medina was born on June 3, 1984. He was a wonderful husband, son and brother. He was loveable and humble, with a gentle soul who was known for his bear hugs. He graduated from Cabrillo College in 2019 with a degree in Liberal Arts & Science with an emphasis on Interdisciplinary Studies. He loved music of all genres and loved to cook gourmet meals. He was an old soul, a good listener and keeper of secrets who will be missed...

Luis Salvador Sousa passed away on August 6, 2020, he was 55. Luis was born on August 9, 1964 in Sao Miguel, Azores Islands to Jose and Otilia De Sousa Pacheco. He played for Benfica Aguia before coming to America in 1985. He was involved with the Portuguese Community I.S.T.W and enjoyed gathering with his friends and playing cards. He was hardworking and worked construction for over 30 years. He enjoyed watching football, soccer, traveling to Las Vegas, and camping. Luis is survived by his...