Louis P. Ayala Sr. died Saturday, April 3, 2004, at Hazel
Hawkins Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Louis P. Ayala Sr. died Saturday, April 3, 2004, at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 84.
Mr. Ayala was a lifetime resident of San Juan Bautista, having moved to San Benito County when he was 3 years old.
As a young man, he worked for Reno Cornaggio at San Juan Bakery. When he was 15, Mike Bonafante of Mission Foods hired him as a bagboy. In 1955, he started his own market, San Juan Supermarket, but in July of 1967, he returned to what was formerly Mission Foods as owner of Plaza Market.
He was a member of Old Mission San Juan Bautista and the San Juan Chamber of Commerce.
He was an avid gardener and loved music and dancing. He had a great love for animals. He was devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Mr. Ayala is survived by his wife, Ruth M. Ayala; sons, Louis P. (Glenna) Ayala Jr., Ronald P. (Marilyn) Ayala and Frederick J. Ayala; daughters, Barbara A. (Edward) Gonzalez and Cynthia M. (Richard) Vasquez, all of Hollister; sister Elvira Guaracha, of San Juan Bautista; grandchildren Tara Mendolla, Aaron Ayala, Kendra Barrett, Ryan Ayala, Andrea Ayala, Nathan Ayala and Nicole Vasquez, all of Hollister, and Heather Galu, of Gilroy; and great-grandchildren Kylie and Kenna Barrett and Tea Mendolla, all of Hollister, and Dominic and Logan Galu of Gilroy.
Friends may visit Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home today from noon to 8 p.m.
The funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, proceeding to Old Mission San Juan Bautista for a funeral Mass at 10 a.m.
Burial and graveside services will follow at San Juan District Cemetery.
Contributions are preferred to the American Cancer Society of Spiritual Bouquets (Masses) at Mission San Juan Bautista.
