Obituary of Leonard F. Gomes

Leonard F. Gomes passed away on September 10, 2017 in Hollister, California surrounded by his loving family.

Leonard was born and raised in Hollister, graduated from Hollister High School and proudly served in the United States Navy. Following his military service, he began a long career in law enforcement working at the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office for 31 years. When he retired, he had been the Undersheriff for 8 years. He also at one time was part owner of Northside Nursery . He was also a very proud apricot rancher.

Leonard loved golf, music, his hometown of Hollister, and above all, his family. In his retirement, a day never passed that he didn’t pick up his golf clubs. He was a talented drummer and his claim to fame was being a member of the band playing at an after-party for the movie, “American Guerrilla in the Philippines” in 1950. For Leonard, Hollister ranked just short of paradise. He never wanted to live anywhere else.

Leonard was a member of the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club and the Hollister Elks Lodge #1436. He will be remembered for his long winded stories, his binder of jokes and his love of people. He never knew a stranger.

Leonard is survived by his wife Melzoria Orlando Gomes; daughter Lee Ann Gomes Heers (Richard); step daughters Cheryl Orlando Rieger (Ralph), Denise Orlando Garcia (Rich), Nancy Orlando Bravo (Bill); 10 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brother David Gomes (Gale) and sister Geri Yuste (Manuel); as well as many nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Rose Gomes; and his son Christopher L. Gomes.

Donations are preferred to Hollister Elks Lodge #1436 c/o the mortuary.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, September 19th at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.