Gilbert N. Amaral

Gil was born on August 25th, 1944, in the village of Lomba da Maia, on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azore Islands. He immigrated to America at the age of eight with his mother, father and brother. After arriving in America, Gil spent much of his childhood growing up on dairies where his parents would be employed, and where he would develop his own strong work ethic. After finishing high school, Gil enrolled at Gavlan Junior College in Gilroy, where he enjoyed playing on the football team. As the Vietnam War began, Gil enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, which enabled him to combine his love for the ocean with his passion for service. Upon completing his military service, Gil began corresponding with a young woman in Lomba da Maia named Idalina Moniz. After traveling back to the Azores to meet her in person, and a brief courtship, the two were married on September 11, 1966. Ida would join Gil in America, where they built their life, and family, as they welcomed daughters Cathy, Tracy, and their son Michael. Gil raised his family in Vallejo, California, where he worked at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, enjoying a distinguished career working on submarines and leading departments in the support of the United States Navy.

After completing a thirty-year career at Mare Island, Gil pursued his passion for landscaping by becoming the Head Groundskeeper for Los Medanos Community College in Pittsburg, California. Gil received frequent recognition from the College on the impact that he made in creating beautiful environments for the students to enjoy across the campus. He retired after enjoying ten years of beautifying the school's grounds and was awarded a special recognition of achievement for the contributions that he made to the college during his tenure. In retirement Gil found that he still had a desire to work with people, so he began working part-time at Six Flags amusement park in Vallejo, California, where he was energized by working with the youth on staff, and seeing the joy in the faces of the children that visited the park.

Gil always maintained his love of the ocean, often taking drives to Bodega Bay. He rooted hard for his 49ers, and he had a passion for flowers, gardening and woodworking. But his greatest treasure was the time that he spent with his family. Gil is survived by his wife Ida Amaral, his daughters Cathy Tyrrell and Tracy Lesperance, his son Michael Amaral, and his brother Manuel Amaral.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 2 from 4-6 PM with a vigil service held at 5 PM at Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 3 at 11 AM at St. Basil's The Great Catholic Church, Vallejo. Committal Service and Burial will immediately follow at All Soul's Cemetery, Vallejo.