Archived Obituaries

Passed away in Hollister.

Thomas T. Iwasaki, 88 years old, resident of Gilroy, born on May 31, 1918, in Mt. View, California, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, after a lengthy illness.

Passed away at her Hollister home. She was born in Sinloa, Mexico and came to Hollister to be with her son, Joseph, this year from Thorn Bay, Alaska. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas T. Bolen, who died in 2005. She worked as an emergency medical technician for many years.

Robert C. "Bob" Angell, a space technologist for T.R.W. in Sunnyvale, CA, passed away from a very short illness at Stanford Medical Center on December 6th at the age of 78 years. Bob and his wife Dorothy were born in Providence, RI. They lived within a block of one another on the same street and never realized that one day they would meet and be married; 56 years this Dec. 27th. Bob and Dorothy moved to Hollister in 1980 and shared very active lives together. Bob was a member of Ridgemark Golf & Country Club, and until last month, was able to "shoot" his age with regularity. He served as President and Vice-President of the Mens Group; Tournament and Handicap Chairman; a recipient of multiple "Player Of The Year" awards"; a member of SIRS, Bolado Park Golf Club, Monterey Seniors, and an annual volunteer at the AT&T at Pebble Beach. Was a Senior Olympian who played hockey as a youth, as a collegian, and Semi-Professional, playing competitively until 60 years of age. He played in the senior olympics at the Charles Schultz Empire Arena in Santa Rosa. He and his two brothers shared the same front line and still hold their high schools hockey scoring records. Bob served in the Honor Guard with the U,S. Navy in Washington, D.C. during WWII. Besides his wife Dorothy, Bob is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Robert and Teresa Angell of Danville; daughter Susan Angell of Long Beach; grandchildren Leilani and Michelle Angell of Danville; nephew Charles Angell; nieces Linda Burden, Donna Angell, and Ellen Naber, all of California, and the family dog, "Peaches". His brothers Howard and Mort Angell have passed away.

Louis Anthony Felice succumbed to pneumonia and heart failure at the Fresno Veterans Hospital, on Tuesday, November 21, 2006. Louis was a native of Hollister. He served in the U. S. Navy with distinction during WWII and Korea. His wife Barbara Jean Felice passed away August 11, 200l. He raised two children and was a grandfather of four. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. A memorial service will be held at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito St., Hollister on Saturday, December 16th, at 3:00 P.M., to which friends are invited. Arrangements were made for private cremation with inurnment at Calvary Cemetery.

After a lengthy illness and surrounded by her children, Maria Elena entered into rest on November 25, 2006, at her son's home in Morgan Hill, CA. A long time resident of Gilroy, she worked numerous years at the Christopher Ranch and Marriots.

Tom Cheal passed away Sunday, December 3rd at the age of 91, in Morgan Hill, his home for 86 years. Born in South San Francisco, Tom moved with his family to their ranch on San Pedro Avenue, where he lived with his late mother, father and sister until 1976. Tom was an active and proud walnut farmer always known for his great sense of style and love of Buicks.

Marie K. Rivera (Diaz), born 11/23/23, passed away 12/5/06. Born in Sanger, CA, of German descent. Raised in Hollister, CA. Lived in Gilroy from 1941 to 1967, then moved to San Jose, CA. Preceded in death by her husbands; Joe L. Rivera and Benny D. Diaz, Sr., son Benny D. Diaz, Jr., her daughter-in-laws; Nancy A. Diaz and Sinah D. Diaz, and her grandson Teddy A. Diaz.

Passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 at St. Louise Hospital Gilroy.

Gordon M. Booth, a 27 year Sales and marketing executive of Gilroy Foods and McCormick and Co, Inc. passed away on November 25th after a ten month battle with lung cancer. He was 61.