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BORN
1929
DIED
2017
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Guillermo Muñiz Obituary
Feb 10, 1929 – Nov 23, 2017
Resident of Pittsburg
Guillermo Muñiz passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving of natural causes. Guillermo was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, the fourth of 11 children to Virginia Ramirez and Francisco Muñiz. He left school to work full time at age 10 to help support his family. An accomplished amateur cyclist, he immigrated to the US in 1956 through the Bracero Program and moved to Pittsburg, CA in 1957 where he worked locally at the Western California Cannery and at the New Mecca Cafe. It was there that he met and married his wife, Teresa Guzman, and where, in 1964, the two of them bought the New Mecca Cafe upon the death of owner Moises Vasquez.
The Mecca remains an anchor of downtown Pittsburg, and its success was Guillermo's American dream, enabling him to share and connect with the community that supported him. He loved supporting local youth programs and offered his own life story as an example of life's possibilities despite coming from humble beginnings. He catered to the major league sports teams for decades. He loved to sing. Most importantly, he loved people and connected easily with people from all walks. Guillermo Muñiz Plaza in downtown Pittsburg was named in his honor in 1998. He had tremendous gratitude to the Pittsburg community that embraced and supported him.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Teresa; two children, Alberto Muñiz (Lourdes Gutierrez) of Pittsburg and Marcela Muñiz (Josh Roper) of San Francisco, and his granddaughters Alejandra and Mariana Roper of San Francisco. He is also survived by four sisters, Graciela, Teresa, Virginia, and Martha Muñiz Ramirez, and a brother, Fernando Muñiz Ramirez, all of Mexico. He was also "Uncle Guillermo" to many. He is preceded in death by his son Bill Muñiz in 1989, and by five siblings, Jorge, María Luisa, Guadalupe, Ernestina, and Francisco Javier Muñiz Ramírez.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 5:00pm with a vigil at 6:30pm. Funeral liturgy Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 10:00am both days at Church of the Good Shepherd. Committal services following at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch. In lieu of flowers, donations in Guillermo's memory can be made to Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa.
View the online memorial for Guillermo "Bill" Muñiz
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Memories and Condolences
for Guillermo Muñiz
Sponsored by East Bay Times.
Tim Gorman
December 3, 2017
Guillermo was a young man when I moved to Pittsburg and discovered the New Mecca in the early 70's. Oh those Friday nights. The restaurant and cramped waiting area filled to capacity, Bill running around working the crowd, the counter and takeout orders while interacting with the staff. He found great success. He possessed generosity, empathy and spirit. He will be missed. Rest in peace Guillermo, every day is Wednesday.
December 1, 2017
Guillermo,
Thank you so much for taking care of my family when they were up for Door of Faith Orphanage softball tournament (and more occasions).. The Freezes will never forget your kindness.
Grand-Dad and Grandma Freeze
Von And Agnes Freeze (Retire from Dow to help at the Orphanage when Grand-Dad and Grandma because of age needed help
Ron Freeze (Retired Dow)
God has a special place for you,
Ron Freeze
Kathy Rocha
November 30, 2017
Guillermo was one giving man. Loved by all and so so generous. One thing i will never forget about him is when he would deliver food to parties, he would sing and always have in his hand a bag that contained a bottle of Jose Cuervo!!! He would pass a shot around while he sang. That would top the evening off. Thank you Guillermo for so many happy memories. The Rocha and Ruiz family.
Keith and Gail Samson
November 30, 2017
Wonderful 50 year memories of Bill and the Mecca Restaurant and staff. He was an inspiration and shining example of how to conduct his life and business (generous heart and lifetime of service and care).
He is with the angels now and we can hear him singing while looking down from heaven to his beloved family and friends.
In Christ,
Keith & Gail Samson
November 30, 2017
Heaven has another angel. Guillermo was a valued part of our family for so many years. He was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever had the pleasure to know. After we moved from California to Virginia, Guillermo personally packed a cooler filled with that amazing Mecca food in dry ice and drove it to the SF airport to ship it to me for my birthday. He has left us with such wonderful memories it makes me smile every time I think of him. Every time we return to California Donna and I make sure the Mecca is on our list of stops.
With love,
Chuck & Donna Brisbin
November 29, 2017
Dearest Terri & Mecca Family: He was a man with a very big heart and lots of love for all the people he came in contact with. He has a special place in Heaven making beautiful music and watching over all of us. With Love The Val Castro Family
Lee Orr
November 29, 2017
R.I.P. Guillermo,
"The New Mecca Café" was TRULY a home away from home for thousands & thousands of people over all these years. God Bless & keep you. You have done GREAT things since 1964 & you & The New Mecca Café will NEVER be forgotten. Lee Orr-L.M.C. 1978-80
Cathy Auello
November 28, 2017
Bill was an amazing man and member of our community! Our family grew up at The Mecca! My parents Ratzi and Kathy Aiello went there on dates as teenagers. They brought my brother and I there as babies! Bill always had a kind word to say and or sing! He brought such joy to the lives of those of us from Pittsburg who knew him well, to those he met! Thank you Bill for all you Love! May God Rest your soul! Sing in Heaven for The Lord! Until We meet again! Love and prayers Cathy (Aiello) Clark.
Frank Olvera
November 28, 2017
From the late night food to Guillermo singing at the table, I have many great memories of Guillermo and the Mecca. Both are icons and will live on forever. My sincerest condolences to Terry and family.
Russ Belleci
November 28, 2017
Guillermo Muniz was a wonderful man. He was the perfect example of the American Dream...from Bracero Migrant Farm worker, to hard working employee to a successful and respected pillar of this community. He was an example of what it means to be a 'real" American..by his example in a very diverse community, "Bill" lived what this country should be; hard at work, making a living while being generous with unbridled optimism and tolerance.
Pittsburg and the world have lost an example of what it should be all about.
A movie should be made of his life.
Guillermo was a special friend to the Rizzie Belleci Family
Rest in Peace, Amigo.
Corinne Bustos
November 28, 2017
Guillermo was a great man and friend to my family and many families he had the biggest heart he will be missed thank you for everything Isay hi to my mom and dad Love you The Bustos Family
Family Cerda
November 27, 2017
Our Family extends our greatest sympathy in the loss of our lifelong Friend Guillermo Muniz. He will surely be missed and our prayers are with him and The Muniz Family.
David Manly
November 27, 2017
Condolences to the Muniz family, Mr Muniz was a great businessman and friend to this community. As a Softball Coach for years we often had our year end celebration Catered by the Mecca and i can remember sitting and planning the meal with Mr Muniz. Once we completed the planning he would always make sure to buy lunch even when I so no; he insisted that I take something. Nothing like doing business with someone who knew something about quality customer service, Thank you Muniz family for sharing him with the city of Pittsburg.
Danny and Naomi Giovanni
November 27, 2017
To the family---With a very sad heart, but full of wonderful memories of an incredible and enduring friendship of love between Bill and my parents, Frank and Rose Giovanni, please accept our warmest and most sincere condolences. The world needs more people with the kindness and generosity that Bill exhibited throughout his life.
With love and aloha,
Danny and Naomi Giovanni
At Albert Sr last family picnic
Albert Salido
November 27, 2017
We are so sorry to hear that Guillermo has passed. We have so many great memories of him. Stopping at the Mecca after the races (or anytime we were anywhere near Pittsburg). Catered meals at family picnics and funerals. He came all the way to San Bruno to sing the Ave Maria for Albert Sr at his funeral service. He will be greatly missed and thougth of often. Albert Salido Jr, Albert Salido III, Gail Lydon.
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