Gabriel Vazquez


Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, CA
Published in the "Big Bear Grizzly" Monday, November 6, 2006 11:20 AM PST
File uploaded 20 Nov 2006

This file is part of the California Tombstone Project
http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/california/californ.html

Gabriel Vazquez 94, passed Oct. 8, 2006, in Montebello, Calif. Born in Ruidos, Texas, 
on March 18, 1912, he was the first of Juan and Andrea's 11 children. He was a dedicated 
son who helped his parents raise his younger siblings. Living on a farm was hard work, 
and Gabriel took on many responsibilities. He arrived in California in the 1930s with his 
cousin Julian and helped his family relocate, find housing, and put a roof over their heads 
and food on the table.

Gabriel was a committed Christian with a strong sense of helping his community. He joined 
the Accion Catolica Mexicana (ACM) and volunteered many hours of service to the community 
along with the Rodriguez family members. Margarita Reye's mother, Elvira Rodriguez, passed 
away when she was four years old and as a young woman, she went to Los Angeles to meet her 
mother's sisters and her cousins. It was during this trip that Gabriel and Margarita met 
and fell in love.

They married on April 29, 1949, after a lengthy long-distance courtship. Gabriel wrote 
romantic letters, poetry, and Margarita's love for him continued to grow. They raised 11 
children and instilled in them the same values that their parents had given them. Gabriel 
retired from Sears in 1972 and continued his activism, volunteering as an usher, member of 
the Knights of Columbus, Eucharistic Minister, and founding member of the Movimiento 
Familiar Christiano, an organization that helped to strengthen familial bonds. Gabriel's 
social activism is one of the many examples of beings a good Christian and citizen that he 
imparted on his children.

After Gabriel and Margarita raised their children, they enjoyed vacations, going to the movies 
and out to lunch. Gabriel thoroughly enjoyed bowling and was a member of a league for many years. 
He was also an avid Los Angeles Dodger fan and attended hundreds of games. Gabriel was not a 
wealthy man but he lived a rich and rewarding life. During his final days, he had numerous 
visitors who thanked him for the positive influence he had on their lives and for his sound advice.

In addition to his loving wife, Margarita, he is survived by his 11 children: Margarita (Bob) 
Gomez, Jose (Joe & Teri) Gabriel (Theresa), Maria Isabel (Tony) Bauer, Guadalupe (Rick) Garcia, 
Moises (Joanne), Alfonso (Veronica), Elivra Vazquez, Ana (Armando) Jimenez, David (Alma), Martin 
(Doreen), Gloria Dolores (Moises) Ross; 25 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and one 
great, great grandchild; four brothers and four sisters; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews 
and friends. His parents, sister Celia and sister Sister Bernadette Vazquez, ODC predeceased 
Gabriel.