Raul Tovar

Raul Tovar 6/11/32 - 6/22/11 Resident of Oakland Raul Tovar, 40-year resident of Oakland, peacefully entered into God's heavenly Kingdom on June 22, 2011, surrounded by his adoring family at the family home. Born in Sebastian, Texas, he was the patriarch of a large extended family that included a large circle of friends. He is survived by Mercedes Loredo Tovar, his loving wife of 61 years, and his eight children: Virginia T. de Gonzales (H: John Gonzales-M. de Tovar, Esq.), Roy Tovar (W: Eva Zepeda), Georgina T. Hoffman (H: Alan Hoffman, DDS), Martha T. Duarte (H: Jose Duarte), Melba T. Padalong (H: Constantino Padaong), Nora T. Harvey (H: Robert Harvey), Martin Tovar (W: Stacey Albiso Tovar), Marco Tovar (P: Josie Arroyo). He leaves 26 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. He was the eldest child of Guadalupe Tovar and Nicolasa Jimenez Tovar, of Rancho Tovar, Texas. His siblings (all residing in Phoenix, Arizona) include: Olivia Crabtree (D), Francisco Tovar, Guadalupe Tovar, Maria Tovar, Odilia T. Ya¤ez, Jesse Tovar. Olivia Tovar died in infancy in Texas. Raul was a member of Los Cursillos de Cristiandad (in Texas), Los Guadalupanos, the Spanish Choir (at St. Anthony's Church) and Grupo de Retiro de la Misi¢n de San Antonio de Pad£a (27 years). He was the founding president of Comit‚ Educativo de la Raza de Oakland which spear-headed the effort to establish three bilingual schools in Oakland 40 years ago (all of which are still functioning). He was a former employee of Oakland Public Schools, Caterpillar Tractor and Chevron Oil. He was proud of being a Texan and was a loyal A's fan. He loved fishing, singing and raising bees. Tending, cultivating and pruning his rose garden, his fruit trees and his family gave him unboundless joy. Visitation to commence at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2011. Recitation of the rosary begins at 7:00 p.m. All services will be at St. Jarlath's Catholic Church, 2620 Pleasant St. (corner of Fruitvale Avenue), Oakland, CA. 94602-2125 ( 510) 532-2068. The Mass of the Resurrection will commence at St. Jarleth's Church at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 28, 2011, with burial services to follow immediately at Holy Sepulchre Cemetary, Hayward, CA. ". . . Every good tree bears good fruit . . . So by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:15-20, Gospel reading for June 22, 2011) Holy Angels Cooper Chapel FD-381 510-533-4114