Gabriel Jose Reyes passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on June 30, 2017 in Santa Cruz at the age of 99.
Gabriel was born in San Pedro Piedra Gorda, Zacatecas, Mexico and relocated to the United States to work as a laborer in the fields and apple orchards of Watsonville. In 1945 he went to work for the Erie Railroad Company in Ohio where he met his first wife Neva Marie. In 1948 he went to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Watsonville, Ca., retiring in 1978. Many of his years with the railroad were spent inspecting railroad tracks all the way from San Francisco to San Diego. Gabe took pride in saying that he only missed one day of work in his 32 years with the railroad.
While working for the railroad and for a considerable length of time after, Gabriel managed a six-acre apple orchard in Watsonville for Dr. Felippo. Working the orchard was a passion for Gabriel until retiring again at the age of 93.
Gabriel also worked on the crew responsible for building the tracks for the Roaring Camp scenic passenger train route through the Felton redwoods to the Santa Cruz Beach.
Gabriel is predeceased by his parents, 9 brothers, 3 sisters, his first wife Neva Marie and their children, Patricia Soaper and Glenn Fulton; and is survived by his sons Tony, Joe, Jeff and Gabriel, Jr.
Gabriel is also predeceased by his second wife Aurelia; and their children Esther, Arcelia, Arturo, Santos, Felipe and Maria. Together, they have 28 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Gabriel (Papa) will forever be remembered by his family as a loving, caring and respected man with a beautiful laugh and smile. The family would like to give special thanks to Maria Carmona for the loving care she gave our father, Pacific Coast Manor, and Hospice of Santa Cruz County.
The Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church, 527 Corralitos Road, Watsonville on Friday July 7, 2017 with burial to follow at Pajaro Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, Ca 95066
