Henry “Court” Smith
Passed away Wednesday in Santa Teresa Hospital. He was the husband of the late Betty Smith, father of Courtney, James and George Smith, grandfather of 8, great-grandfather of 1.
George Appleby
George is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia,
James P. (Papa) Villa
Entered into rest in Hollister. He was born in Moss Beach, CA and lived in Hollister for 60 years. He is a 1951 graduate of San Benito High School and worked for the local canneries for over 40 years as a printer and warehouseman. He married his wife, Ninfa in April of this year and attended St. Benedict's Church. He was member of Teamsters Union Local 890, was a past fish and game commissioner and enjoyed woodworking, birdwatching, dogs and wolves and western movies. He was an avid 49ers fan. He is survived by his wife, Ninfa Villa of Hollister, his children and their spouses, Randy and Susan Villa of Hollister, Cindy and Bart Lander of Mountain Home, ID, Hector and Bronwyen Acosta of San Francisco, Kim and Juan Gorena of Hollister and Kevin Crum of Hollister, his brother and sister, Rudolph "Bud" Villa of Atascadero and Sue Whittle, his grandchildren, Rosalie Lander, Elizabeth Villa, Devon Acosta, Heather, Holly, Zach and Nich Escobar and Bradley, Joshua, Amanda and Patrick Webb, his great grandchildren, Sydney Campos, Chloe Maxey, Michael Maxey III and Isaac Crum. He is also survived by his cousin in Half Moon Bay, Betty Villa and is preceded in death by his father and mother, Florentino "Fred" and Gladys Villa.
Val Filice
Val Filice passed away at his home Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. He is survived by his children; Valerie Filice of Hollister and Bob Filice of Gilroy, grandfather of Gavin Liotta, Dominic and Robby Filice all of Gilroy, brother of Ernie Filice and Viola Carr of Gilroy and Clara Bruni of San Jose. Also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife Elsie.
Richard (Dick) Owczarzak
Richard (Dick) Owczarzak passed away on October 29, 2007 after a brief battle with cancer. The former Gilroy resident died in Sutter-Roseville Medical Center with his wife and children by his side. Dick moved his family to an acre site on New Avenue in Gilroy in 1974. After coaching his son's Little League teams for many years, he headed up Gilroy Little League in the late 1970's. Dick was also active in Rucker 4-H, serving as leather, photography and wood working leader. He attended St. Mary's Church and through his late mother, Evelyn Owczarzak, supported the Lord's Table. Upon retiring, after a long career with IBM, Dick moved to Lake of the Pines in Auburn. He spent most weekends at his vacation home at Lake Madrone, near Lake Oroville, CA. Here Dick established and maintained the web-site for the Lake Madrone Property Owners Association, and loved spending time on the beach with his grandkids.
Audrey Carol Pritchette McClaflin
Audrey passed away at her home in Morgan Hill on Monday, October 8, 2007. She was born in San Diego,and grew up living in California, Oregon, and Oklahoma. In 1951, Audrey graduated from St.Mary's Nursing Program of Enid, Oklahoma. Audrey spent 50+ years as a registered nurse, working in the Santa Clara Valley, and retired from Gilroy Foods. Audrey is survived by her 2 sons and one daughter: Steve McClaflin of San Andreas, Ray McClalflin of Clairmore, Oklahoma and Susan McClaflin of Moscow, Idaho; and eight
Louberta Alice Calhoun
Louberta "Boots" Alice Calhoun, 75, passed away on October 31, 2007 in Fresno after a short battle with cancer. Louberta was born in Centerville, Iowa and moved to the Bay Area as a young woman where she and Bob raised their family. She and Bob moved to Clovis in the 70's where they were active in the Clovis Rodeo Association. She enjoyed fishing and cooking but most of all, she loved her family and friends. Louberta's cup was never less than three quarters full. She found the good in everything and everyone.
Dorothy A. Lemos
Dorothy Lemos, 91, of Gilroy passed on Nov. 2, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband Louie, is survived by her daughters Nadine (Floyd) Perry, Carol Blomquist, and Donna (John) Piedmont., 11 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Services have been held.
Jeeta Millar
Jeeta Millar left this life on October 31, 2007 in the presence of her loving family in Morgan Hill. She was born September 25, 1921 in Durant, Oklahoma and grew up there and in Oklahoma City. She attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, Oklahoma, graduating with a BA degree in Art in 1944. She and her future husband, Robert, renewed their friendship upon his return to Chickasha following WWII and were married in Chickasha on November 27, 1946.
Emiliano Tibursio Garcia
Emiliano Tibursio Garcia, age 87, passed away on October 29, 2007, at his residence in Temecula. Emiliano was born on August 11, 1920 in Hayden, AZ. Emiliano worked in the City Maintenance Department in Hollister from 1950-1957, he then moved on to become a sheet rocker in San Jose from 1958-1973, then from 1976-1985 he volunteered in teaching and maintenance at the Apostolic Christian Academy in Hollister. He went on to become a Hollister Transit Driver from 1986-1993. Emiliano served in the U.S. Army as Sergeant in the 126th Infantry, he earned a purple heart and an Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. He served from July 1942-November 1945 in the Asiatic Pacific Arena during WWII. He also received a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 bronze star. Among other awards, he has received multiple appreciation awards from the Apostolic Christian Academy. He was a member of Rancho Community Church and their Mature Adults Program. He was also a member of the American Legion and the retired carpenter's union in Santa Clara, CA.
