Read more about some of the Gilroyans who died in 2011 from their stories at left.
Vallie Bishop: The longtime child services champion died March 5 after a two-year battle with colon cancer. She was 57.
Carroll Briggs: The actor, artist, scientist, longtime Gavilan College student and former school board trustee died in June. He was 82.
Maurice “Red” Elder: The former GHS football coach and teacher died Aug. 14 from cardiac arrest. He was 95.
Andrel Gaines: The 19-year-old Gavilan College basketball player and GHS graduate died Nov. 18 – 12 days after he suffered major head trauma in a car accident.
John Garcia: Known as “Big John” or “Coach,” the former recreation supervisor and football coach died after a long battle with melanoma on Oct. 14. He was 64 years old.
Gayle Glines: The city’s Recreation Supervisor and longtime city employee, youth advocate and diligent volunteer died suddenly April 17. She was 57 years old.
Charles Gubser: As Gilroy’s congressman for 22 years, he spent much of his efforts getting water pumped from the San Luis Reservoir to Santa Clara and San Benito counties. He died Aug. 20 at age 95.
Mitch Hunt: The Wheeler Manor resident known for visiting local restaurants and stores with his little dog died Jan. 23 at age 65.
C.J. “Jim” Laizure: Gilroy’s first police chief served 20 years as chief from 1960 to 1980. He died July 4 at age 81.
Christopher Shimek: On Nov. 27, Chris, 51, was found dead in his Gilroy home – along with his wife Lynn – from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was a San Jose police officer since 1995.
Lynn Shimek: The cause of Lynn’s death is still being investigated, but the mother of two was found dead Nov. 27 in what police are calling an apparent murder-suicide. She was 43.
Tom Obata: The agriculture stalwart and farmer for four decades was a founder of Gilroy Foods. He died Aug. 22 of lung cancer at age 93.
David Vogel: The 40-year-old city employee died after being hit by a vehicle while working March 14. He was born and raised in Gilroy and was known as a kind-hearted, fun-loving person.
