Obituary of Francisco Lopez Gutierrez

Francisco López Gutierrez passed away peacefully at his home in Hollister on Monday, March 2, 2020. He was 85 years old. Francisco was born in El Rancho de la Barranca, a ranch in the outskirts of the town of Cueramaro, Guanajuato Mexico. He is preceded in death by his parents Petra Gutierrez Izarazaga, and Heriberto López Velez and six siblings, Jose López, Pedro López, Fidel López, Carmela López, Josefina López, Manuel López, Alfredo López and Eduardo López.  He was the second oldest of 13 siblings. Francisco first came to the United States during the second wave of the bracero (Guest Worker) program.  He eventually settled in Hollister and worked for over forty years with Casillas Bros. Farms harvesting onions, tomatoes and bell peppers. He was a baseball cap enthusiast. He had an extensive collection of caps from the many places his children and grandchildren would visit and would seldom be seen without a cap on his head. In his retirement years, Francisco enjoyed watching his grandkids and great grandkids play soccer.  He loved attending Jovenes de Antaño, the Senior Center in Hollister where he played Bingo and enjoyed a good cup of coffee. He loved tending his garden and walking around town. Francisco was a very social person. He cherished the opportunity to chat with whomever would lend him an ear.  Francisco was a very giving soul and would never pass an opportunity to do something nice for someone or give to those in need.  Francisco will be remembered for his love of candy, ice cream, his infectious smile and his love and devotion to his wife and his cat Spot.  He lived and enjoyed each day to the fullest. His family and friends will truly miss him. Francisco leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Juana López Botello, his eight children, daughter Belen López, son Otilio López (Guadalupe), son Adolfo López (San Juana), daughter Josefina Trujillo (Rodrigo), daughter Esperanza Moreno (Robert), daughter Martha Quezada (Jose), daughter Estela López Gilliam (Haywood), and son Martin López. He also leaves behind fourteen grandchildren: Juan Jose López (Sara), Maria Selenia Zelaya (Angel), Erika Trujillo-Hernandez (Imer), Robert Anthony Moreno, Edgar Fabian López (Jennifer Guardado), Alexander Trujillo, Carlos López, Michael Moreno, Adolfo López, Jr., Daniella Moreno, Nancy López, Christian Trujillo, Eduardo Quezada and Maya Pearl Gilliam. Francisco is also survived by his ten great grandchildren: Damien Jaime, Angelo Zelaya, Noah Zelaya, Alia Yolanda Moreno, Ariana Renee Moreno, Ariel Josefina Trujillo, Anaya López, Andraya Rose López, Kevin Mateo López, and Kimberly Mia López. Also surviving him are his siblings Moto Lopez, Salvador Lopez Guadalupe Lopez and Anita Lopez. A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 8th from 12-7 p.m. with a Rosary at 5 p.m. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home in Hollister. A Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 9th at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church followed by a burial at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home in Hollister which will be forwarded to the Jovenes de Antaño Senior Center in Hollister.