Archived Obituaries

Funeral arrangements are pending. For condolences: www.grunnagle.com.

Beloved Mother and Grandmother, passed away at home on June 23rd at the age of 90. Born on the Island of Sao Jorge in the Azores, she emigrated to the US and settled in Gilroy in 1960. She was a homemaker and loved to cook. Her priority was to make sure everyone that came to visit was well fed. She was preceded in death by her husband George Pereira, her brothers Antonio, Raul, Miguel, Antero, Jose, Alberto, & Herminio and her sisters Emilia, Sabina, and Gabriela. She is survived by her sons and their spouses Antonio & Sabina Perry, George & Olivia Perry, her only granddaughter and husband, Elizabeth & Gino Rosa, all of Gilroy; a sister Maria Maciel of Sao Jorge, Azores and numerous nieces and nephews.

August 12, 1952 - September 3, 2017

William J. Freitas passed away Monday afternoon at the age of 85. Lifelong orchardist in San Juan Bautista. Survived by his wife of 63 years, Allene Freitas, of San Juan Bautista, brother-in-law of Carmina Joseph of San Juan Bautista and Gertrude Mills of Morgan Hill. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Betty J. Thiessen passed away at her Hollister residence after a more than two year battle with brain cancer surrounded by her family, almost five years after losing her husband Dale W. Thiessen to colon cancer. Betty, who was better known to her friends as Jodi was born in Reedley, Ca to Al and Leona Schulz, the only girl in a family of five. Jodi spent most of her childhood in Dinuba, CA. Growing up, Jodi found a love of music and became an accomplished pianist. Using her talents she devoted many years playing the piano at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, she played in the hand bell choir, and taught in the primary and junior classes. Jodi also devoted her time taking courses to become an ordained minister from the Online Bible Collage. Jodi used her relationship with God to give her comfort and strength. No matter how bad she was feeling, she put on a smile, a little makeup, her heels and soldiered on. If asked how she was doing, she would smile and say "Oh Hey!" Jodi was a very passionate person and if you wanted to see her passion, you just had to start up a conversation about religion, or better yet about politics. But if you found yourself with an opposite view from hers you better have your ducks in a row because Jodi argued to win. One of her favorite sayings was "There is no use in arguing unless you are right!"

Donald entered into God's care, surrounded by his loving family, following a brave and gallant fight with a long illness.

Martina Losada passed away at 91 on Saturday afternoon at her home in Milpitas. She was born in Spain and came to San Benito County at the age of one. She attended Sacred Heart School and Serra Catholic High School. She resided here until she married her late husband, John Losada at the age of 22 and she then lived may years in Los Gatos.

A memorial celebrating her life will be on Saturday, May 2, 2015, 1:00 P.M., at the V.F.W. located at 74 W. 6th Street, Gilroy. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, to make a donation in her name to St. Jude’s Hospital instead.

Visitation will be held on Monday evening at 7:00 P.M., at Habing Family Funeral Home. Mass will be held Tuesday morning at 10:00 A.M., at St. Mary’s Church, followed by the burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. For online condolences habingfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Donald J. Kerr (D.J.)age 85, died unexpectedly on Saturday December 13th at Community Hospital of the Monterey Pennisula. Mr. Kerr was born in Vestaburgh, PA. Don spent his formative years in McKeesport, PA and graduated from McKeesport High School. He met his future wife Louise Boehmer, a cheerleader, while playing Center position for the McKHS Tigers football team. They were married after WWII and were together for 55 years. Don was a Paratrooper in the U.S. Army during WWII serving in New Guinea and the Phillipines. After the war, Don attended the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Business Administration. After graduation, he worked for the Naval Research Institute in Washington D.C. The majority of his career however, was spent working for the Westinghouse Corporation, specializing in the area of Nuclear Power. It was his work with Westinghouse that brought Don and his family to Saratoga in 1964. Among his numerous projects was procurement associated with the Nautilus and Skipjack; the first two Nuclear Submarines to venture under the Polar Ice Cap.