Tony H. Arreola

Tony H. Arreola, age 87, died on Friday February 17, 2023. He was born in Shafter, California to Felix and Alice Arreola and was the eldest amongst his five siblings.

Tony began working the agricultural fields at a young age and would often migrate to the San Jose area for work, where he eventually resided. Determined to make a better life other than the rigorous work required in the fields, he began a career at Burke Rubber and where he also met his beautiful wife, Josephine "Josie".

Tony and Josie married and raised seven children, Josephine "Carmen" Lujan, Dolores "Lola'' Fox, Steve Goytia, Yvonne Morin, David Lopez, Ronnie Arreola and Diana Herrera in San Jose until they moved to Gilroy where many other family members were living. They then opened a bar called Tu Cantina where they entertained the locals for a number of years, all the while, Tony, still with a strong work ethic, became a Chief Engineer at Good Samaritan Hospital, later retiring from The County of Santa Clara as a Maintenance Engineer.

Tony was an avid sports fan, always a 49er and Giants fan, he'd often be sporting their logos proudly. He enjoyed traveling to Reno and Lake Tahoe to enjoy some sports betting and keno games. It is where he spent watching the 2023 Super Bowl with family only five days prior to his passing.

Tony was a proud grandfather of all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, always present at their birthday parties and sporting activities, wearing his little derby hat, ready to cheer them on.

Our hearts are broken, yet will mend as we remember the wonderful memories we all have shared with him.

Please join us in celebrating his life on Friday March 24, 2023 at the V.F.W. Hall, 74 Sixth St. in Gilroy at 2pm.

Published in Gilroy Dispatch · March 14, 2023