George Gilbert Gomes, 77, passed away after a valiant battle with cancer in Simpsonville, South Carolina on Monday, July 20, 2020. He was born on April 30, 1943 in Palo Alto to the late Frank V. and Mary D. Gomes.
The Gomes family moved to Manteca in 1950 and George lived here for 62 years prior to moving to South Carolina for his retirement.
He leaves behind his loving and loyal partner, Leslie Leonard Jesinkey, who so faithfully cared for him during his time of need. He leaves his loving children, George L. Gomes of Ripon, and Kristine Froelich (James) of Blair, Oklahoma. Also remaining are his loving grandchildren who he cherished, Madison Gomes and Dylan Gomes of Ripon, Kyle Froelich and Karley Froelich of Oklahoma. He is survived by his siblings, Frank W. Gomes (Eyvonne) of Fresno and Mary Del Pino of Manteca. He leaves his nieces, Denise Burton (Brian) of Fresno and Amanda Silveira (Bill) of Clovis, Angela Salazar (Victor) and Ronnie Del Pino of Manteca, nephews, Vince Correa, Joe Monreal, Mark Monreal (July 2, 2020) and niece Melanie Gamble, predeceased him. George had many great-nieces and nephews. George was a godfather to Nickie Ribeiro Dias and Larry Haworth and many others. He had a very close relationship with his first cousins Joe and Al Vierra and Madeline Borges who lived in the bay area.
George graduated from Manteca Union High in 1961 and was a wrestler. He participated in 4H and FFA throughout his high school years. He milked cows on the family dairy and at other local dairies when needed. He was a great salesman at Turner Hardware in Manteca. He served his country in the US Army from 1966-1968 and was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington. Later he took a job at Libbey Owens Ford Glass Plant in Lathrop. He worked there until they had layoffs and returned to agriculture working for DCF (Dutra/Coit) Farms. He was a good mechanic working on the farm equipment for DCF. George became a proprietor of the Islander Bar and Tavern, near Oakwood Lake, and survived the flood of 1998, although his home and business took a disastrous toll. George repaired and reopened the tavern, but when his retirement age came, he chose to travel to South Carolina when a family friend invited him to see the state. He fell in love with the area saying it reminded him of the way Manteca use to be many years ago. He also met and fell in love with his partner, Leslie, professing many times that his years in South Carolina were the best time of his life. While in South Carolina, he was able to combine his knowledge of agriculture, mechanics and salesmanship by working for the tractor supply company for the last ten years plus.
George was a 4H swine leader and helped many youngsters during Fair time. He was a member of the Luso American Youth Group in his younger days attending conventions. He was also a member of the FESM and MRPS Holy Ghost Festas in Manteca where he helped during the auctions and his daughter, Kristine, was a little queen in 1980. He was a member of St. Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church in Manteca when he resided here.
George will be solely missed by his family and the many fiends he accumulated during his lifetime.
A celebration of life will be celebrated at a later date due to COVID restrictions. Those wishing to honor George may donate to the Manteca Historical Society or the American Cancer Society or a the charity of their choice.
The Gomes family moved to Manteca in 1950 and George lived here for 62 years prior to moving to South Carolina for his retirement.
He leaves behind his loving and loyal partner, Leslie Leonard Jesinkey, who so faithfully cared for him during his time of need. He leaves his loving children, George L. Gomes of Ripon, and Kristine Froelich (James) of Blair, Oklahoma. Also remaining are his loving grandchildren who he cherished, Madison Gomes and Dylan Gomes of Ripon, Kyle Froelich and Karley Froelich of Oklahoma. He is survived by his siblings, Frank W. Gomes (Eyvonne) of Fresno and Mary Del Pino of Manteca. He leaves his nieces, Denise Burton (Brian) of Fresno and Amanda Silveira (Bill) of Clovis, Angela Salazar (Victor) and Ronnie Del Pino of Manteca, nephews, Vince Correa, Joe Monreal, Mark Monreal (July 2, 2020) and niece Melanie Gamble, predeceased him. George had many great-nieces and nephews. George was a godfather to Nickie Ribeiro Dias and Larry Haworth and many others. He had a very close relationship with his first cousins Joe and Al Vierra and Madeline Borges who lived in the bay area.
George graduated from Manteca Union High in 1961 and was a wrestler. He participated in 4H and FFA throughout his high school years. He milked cows on the family dairy and at other local dairies when needed. He was a great salesman at Turner Hardware in Manteca. He served his country in the US Army from 1966-1968 and was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington. Later he took a job at Libbey Owens Ford Glass Plant in Lathrop. He worked there until they had layoffs and returned to agriculture working for DCF (Dutra/Coit) Farms. He was a good mechanic working on the farm equipment for DCF. George became a proprietor of the Islander Bar and Tavern, near Oakwood Lake, and survived the flood of 1998, although his home and business took a disastrous toll. George repaired and reopened the tavern, but when his retirement age came, he chose to travel to South Carolina when a family friend invited him to see the state. He fell in love with the area saying it reminded him of the way Manteca use to be many years ago. He also met and fell in love with his partner, Leslie, professing many times that his years in South Carolina were the best time of his life. While in South Carolina, he was able to combine his knowledge of agriculture, mechanics and salesmanship by working for the tractor supply company for the last ten years plus.
George was a 4H swine leader and helped many youngsters during Fair time. He was a member of the Luso American Youth Group in his younger days attending conventions. He was also a member of the FESM and MRPS Holy Ghost Festas in Manteca where he helped during the auctions and his daughter, Kristine, was a little queen in 1980. He was a member of St. Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church in Manteca when he resided here.
George will be solely missed by his family and the many fiends he accumulated during his lifetime.
A celebration of life will be celebrated at a later date due to COVID restrictions. Those wishing to honor George may donate to the Manteca Historical Society or the American Cancer Society or a the charity of their choice.
South Carolina
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, July 25, 2020
