Archived Obituaries

RAYMOND R. SHIPLETT, 70, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2007, at St. Louise Hospital, Gilroy. He was the husband of the late Mary E. Shiplett (Jan. 6, 1995) and husband of Rose Farotto Shiplett of Gilroy, father of Mark Shiplett of Gilroy, Brenda Shiplett of Belmont, CA, Linda Vargas of Gilroy and Diana Eaton of Bacliff, TX, grandfather of Jerrod Eaton of Bacliff, Christopher, Nicholas and Jonathan Vargas of Gilroy, brother of Kay Andrews of San Diego, CA, Jane Colopy, Rita Shea and Peg Bray, all of Ohio. Also survived by his loving extended Farotto family. He was a native of Ohio.

John P. Carpio Jr. passed away at 60 yrs. old on Jan. 27th, 2007, in Sacramento, due to a lengthy illness. He grew up in Gilroy and resided in Rocklin, CA for the past 21 years. John attended Saint Mary's school and was a 1965 graduate of Gilroy High. He proudly served in the U.S.Army between 1967 and 1969 and was deployed in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. John was an avid sports fan who loved local High School football.

Services for Francisca Ramirez , 82, were held in Illinois. Francisca died on January 10, 2007 suddenly.

Wife of Gilbert Garza of Gilroy. Mother of Stella Sandoval and her late husband, Louis of Gilroy & Walter Garza of Tulsa, OK. Grandmother of Louis, Monica, Lorenzo & Lucas Sandoval.

Kurt Bruckner, age 53, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on January 26, 2007. Born December 26, 1953 in Santa Cruz, Kurt grew up in Gilroy and in recent years operated his construction business out of his home in Campbell.

Joseph Tonascia, 85 of Santa Maria, was taken from us suddenly on Monday, January 29, 2007. He was born on May 27, 1921 to Giosafatte and Sila Tonascia on the Ranchita Ranch, above Lopez Lake. Joseph lived the life of a real cowboy, growing up on a working dairy while attending grammar school in Santa Maria, and high school in SLO. Joseph was a cattleman all of his life with a special love of animals and ranch life.

Born in Monterey, California and grew up in Hollister. Julie passed away peacefully on January 28th after a courageous battle with cancer. Remembered lovingly by her husband of 63 years, Elmer Azevedo of Gustine, where the couple made their home since moving there in 1952. Julie will also be missed greatly by her daughter, Judy Cabral of Paradise and her son Gene Azevedo of Yuba City.

Manuel Rebeiro Rocha passed away Sunday, January 28, at the age of 81. Manuel was born in the island of Terceira, Azores Portugal. He immigrated to the US in 1969 with his wife and 7 children and settled in Gilroy. He was employed for many years in the dairy industry. He enjoyed tending to his garden and sharing the fruits of his efforts with all those around him. He took great pride in his large family and enjoyed seeing them gathered in celebration.

Ida Samantha Lierly passed away in Hollister. She was born in Gridley, Illinois, the daughter of William Otis Roseberry and Arlita Hinthorn Roseberry. She was a resident of San Benito County for over 70 years and worked for Tri Valley Growers Cannery for 30 years, was a member of Fidelity Rebekah Lodge #29, Hollister Women's Club and The Hollister Grandmother's Club.

Susan G. Mattson, beloved wife of Allan M. Mattson of Hollister, loving mother of Matt, Michelle, Nick, Jen, and Becca, died January 27, 2007.