Romulo Barba

??Romulo Barba, born on February 27, 1927, passed away peacefully at his home in Watsonville, on September 21, 2024. He was 97.

Romulo was born in a ranch called "Yano Grande," near Nochistlan, Zacatecas, Mexico, to parents Cesario Barba and Espiriona Sepulveda. He grew up there and worked with his father and siblings farming corn. As the years passed, he came to Watsonville, and in 1958 with a recommendation from his cousin, he started working for Porter Berry Farms, and Nick Butier Apples. He was a hardworking, responsible man. In 1960, he met and married Anita Magaña, obtained permanent legal residency and brought her to Watsonville where they raised their five children. He worked in farming for over 46 years until his retirement in 1994.

As a young man, he taught himself to play the violin and later joined three of his family members to form a small Mariachi band. This Mariachi band would play at religious events, small weddings, and family celebrations in the Nochistlan area. He enjoyed spending quiet time with his family, telling them old stories from his past, and his wife's good Mexican food. He preferred her homemade cooking over restaurant food any day and would seldom want to go out to eat! Above all, he loved being around his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Romulo is survived by his children, Alberto, Samuel, Juan, and Alicia, his grandchildren, Janet, Joshua, Bianca, Clarissa, and Christina, as well as his great-grandchildren, Kobi, Jordan, Mateo, and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Anita, his daughter Lupe, and his siblings, Matiana and Jose.

A viewing and rosary will be held at Mehl's Colonial Chapel 222 E. Lake Avenue, on Monday, October 7, 2024 from 5 pm to 9 pm, rosary at 7 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 100 Salinas Road, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 10 am, with burial to follow at Valley Public Cemetery, 2445 E. Lake Avenue at 11 am.

Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the funeral arrangement.

Published in The Pajaronian · October 1, 2024