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1948
2014
Dec. 7, 1948 - Aug. 26, 2014
Gilbert Victor Espinoza lost a long battle with cancer on Aug. 26.
Gil was born on Dec. 7, 1948 to Guadalupe (Lupe) and Jesus Jess Espinoza of Stockton. He attended St. Mary's High in Stockton and Delta and Solano Colleges.
Serving in the Air Force from 1969 to 1973, Gil was stationed at Travis AFB and overseas in Thailand and Vietnam. Gil was in a K-9 security force unit with his dog Smokey. After returning home, he began a lifelong career at Union 76/Conoco Phillips refinery in Rodeo.
In 1980, Gil met Colleen Collery, the love of his life. He married his soul mate and best friend Colleen in 1984. Gil and Colleen raised son, Christopher and daughters, Rachel and Maria. He also considered his children's friends as his "adopted sons and daughters", treating them as family members. In addition to his wife and children, Gil is survived by granddaughters, Malia, Lehuanani and Kiana. His siblings, Jess (Norma), Michael (Caroline), Loretta (James), as well as many cousins, aunts and uncles who will miss Gil. Gil enjoyed his Collery in-laws, John (Lolly Maria), Bridget (Don), Mary (Eric), Ellen (Dragon) and Lilly (Dale).
Gil made lifelong friends wherever he went-- whether camping at Canyon Creek with his cousins, Richard and Esther, attending church with other parishioners at St. Mary's in Vacaville, playing golf, fishing or working out with his refinery buddies, or running a marathon. Gil never judged a book by its cover and befriended many neighbors, co-workers and people that he met, most of which he regarded as adopted family.
One of the highlights of Gil's life was travel. He delighted in trips to Mexico, the Caribbean and especially The Republic of Ireland. Cousins Gerry and Ann Collery introduced Gil to the joys of the ould sod.
A funeral service will take place on Friday, Sept. 5, at St Mary's Church in Vacaville at 11 a.m., followed by interment at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon at 2:30 p.m. There will also be a reception at the Hampton Inn and Suites, Vacaville from 4 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to male breast cancer research in Gil's honor: Metastatic Breast Cancer Network at HTTP://www.mbcn.org.
Arrangements entrusted to McCune Garden Funeral Home, 707-448-6546.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Kind loving and welcoming I will always fondly remember Gil
Mary HOLLAND
Friend
August 25, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mary Holland
Family
August 25, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of Gil's passing. Love to all of Gil's girls...
karin devoto
September 13, 2014
No words can express my loss for you dear brother. You are a person I will always cherish and look up to and admire you as a role model for being a person of integrity, love, as well as a great brother, a great father, great husband and true friend. You were always winsome and genuinely kind. I will always miss the stories we shared about family and life in general. I feel a sense of peace knowing you are at peace and are with me in spirit and I take some solace knowing that you're up in heaven and are on my side looking out for your younger sister. Love yours sis Loretta.
Loretta Espinoza
September 12, 2014
I am so sorry to hear about Gil's passing. He was a wonderful man. I send my love to your family. God bless you!
Angela Madison
September 5, 2014
Good bye Gil thank you for the many child hood memories I could not have lived without them in sorry I never got to see you as an adult rest in paradise ..my sincere condolences
suzette garrison
September 5, 2014
Sorry for your loss, Gil was my friend and Boardman, we really had a lot of fun together on shift. I'll miss him a lot.
Ron Morofsky
September 5, 2014
Gil was great co-worker and an amazing person! He was a example to all and will live forever in our hearts and minds. Comfort and blessings to all that knew Gil. He is in the arms of the Lord.
Richard Black
September 5, 2014
It has been an honor to be a friend of this precious man for some 32 years. The fun family times we shared; running the channel to lake and then Santa Cruz, to name a few. Endless soccer games and tournaments, not to mention the weekend family dinners and crabfeeds. And what fun with all the kids together camping and watersliding at Manteca!
We were blessed with family and true friendship.
You have been a world of love and inspiration to all who had the pleasure to know you.
Gone from our lives but forever in our hearts xoxo
You shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Joni and Luis Hernandez
September 4, 2014
Colleen, I do hope you know that Gil was blessed to have you as his wife! You are in my thoughts and prayers.....
Love Renee Basnett
September 3, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss,I'm Gilbert's cousin Gloria Doffing my heart goes out to you and your family. As I can honesty say I know how you must be feeling I lost my husband last year . My memories of Gilbert are he was quite but still funny always respectful and kind .You all will be in my prayers God's Blessing peace to you and yours ,I'm sorry I will not be able to attend the services I'll be there in spirit
September 3, 2014
People like Gil do not come around in this world often enough and we get to associate for too short a time, but the benefits of the seemingly lifelong friendship I had with him will continue to enhance my days forever.
Randy Donato
September 3, 2014
We are sorry for your loss. Maria is such a sweetheart. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Aleshia's Family
September 2, 2014
It's been since '82 that I had the pleasure to work with Gil at Unocal, and I can still visualize his gentle smile...Colleen, my heart pours out for your loss. God gave you so many wonderful years together, living a true love story! I will see you Friday, my friend.
Tracie Pannell
September 2, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss....My thoughts and prayers are with you...
Lori Johnson-Dvorak
September 2, 2014
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Gil's family and friends. He will be missed deeply!!
Rita and John Donato
Rita Donato
September 2, 2014
We've lost a great man. As a fellow veteran, I salute him. Anne Napier, Fairbanks, Alaska
September 2, 2014
There are few people who truely touch you in life, Gil is one of them, I am so happy to have known him. Condoleances to Colleen and family, Love Connie
Connie Alicata
September 2, 2014
So sorry for your family's loss. You are all in my prayers.
April Henderson
September 1, 2014
Gil was one of the most generous, kind, sensitive, caring, funny, intelligent and as we all know, adorable men I know. I loved how he wasn't afraid to share his feelings about those close to him. And there were so many. Yes he made us all feel like family and we felt the same about him.
He had a quiet and kind way of taking each of us in, asking us about what we were doing, offering support and encouragement when we needed it, making us laugh, or just making us feel accepted and loved.
He fought long and hard through his illness for himself, his family and his friends. He was a true lover of life and his enthusiasm was contagious. He was such a heroic husband, father and friend. I was astonished and inspired by his strength.
I will miss you my dear friend, but I thank you for playing a role in my life and my husbands' life and everyone's life you have touched. Your contribution in this lifetime is beyond words. Thank you for changing our world in your beautiful Gil Espinoza way. And thank you for leaving with us your beautiful family, who we can enjoy and help, and support them along the way.
Rest now Gil, with our Lord, and continue your special works in heaven. We will try to make you proud until we all meet again.
Much love, K
Kay Ewing Donato
September 1, 2014
I will truly miss you and your beautiful smile. Take care on your new journey my friend and know in your heart that your family will be fine because you raised strong wonderful children. My deepest sympathy to all of you. Kim
September 1, 2014
Not just my friend but a brother!
There is not enough words in the dictionary that can describe what Gil meant to me. He was kind, caring, very smart, funny and my inspiration for becoming a better person! His spirit will be with all of us for ever and heaven got a new angel.
Al Zayas
September 1, 2014
Gil was the.best Head Operator (HO) any girl could ask for. Colleen, my sister, how wonderful that you and Gil found each other and had 34 years together. His unflagging good cheer and great humor are unforgettable. Love to Chris, Rachel and Maria; see you all on Friday
Cate Murphy
September 1, 2014
Gil was an amazing father, husband, and friend. I am blessed to have been part of his life. He always showed so much love to his family. May he be at peace, and always in the hearts of those he loved.
Lexie
September 1, 2014
I will always remember Gil as one of the most influential men in my young son Angelo's life. He cared for my children like they were his own. He was always interested in them and was the best brother in law a girl could have. Dale and I will never forget your kindness, great taste in music and the way you took such good care of our sister and the kids. We will always be there for them my sweet brother.
Lilly Collery-Dawson
August 31, 2014
Gil's warm smile is my lasting impression. He was such a good man. May our fond memories hold a special place for each of us.
Stefanie Mannel
August 31, 2014
Gil will be fondly missed by all my family as a beloved friend, brother-in-law and uncle. Colleen, Christopher, Rachael and Maria you are in my prayers and I will always be here for you. Love Mary
August 31, 2014
Gil will always be revered as a loving brother-in-law, uncle and friend. Colleen, Christopher, Rachael and Maria I will always be here for you. With love, Mary
August 31, 2014
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
McCune Garden Chapel Funeral Home
August 30, 2014
Collie Collie, on behalf of the Craven family, we want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers and wishing you mucho amore now and always...sincerely...Sarah Craven O`Rullian
sarah orullian
August 31, 2014
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