Gilbert de la Rocha December 1, 1922 November 3, 2009 Resident of Hayward Gilbert de la Rocha was bo

Gilbert de la Rocha December 1, 1922 November 3, 2009 Resident of Hayward Gilbert airline tickets consolidator de la Rocha was born on the outskirts of Culiacan, Mexico, in a two room adobe house. He emigrated to Los Angeles with his family when he was 8 months airline tickets consolidator old. He attended Dorris Place Elementary and John Marshall High Schools, and was a freshman in college when WWII broke out. He volunteered for the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, and Army Air Force, but was told he had to wait to be drafted because he was not a citizen. Taking matters into his own hands he took a train to Canada where he was stopped by U. S. Border airline tickets consolidator Guards who thought he was trying evade the draft. A Canadian Customs Officer gave him a 3 day pass to attempt enlisting, and he was accepted into the Royal Canadian Air Force. After training in Canada he was shipped to England where he flew 33 sorties over Europe as a wireless-air gunner for the 420 Snowy Owls.He returned to Canada and was honorably discharged as a Pilot Officer. Gilbert returned to the United States and graduated from Sacramento State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, airline tickets consolidator following that with a Teaching Credential. During his 50 years as an educator and counselor he taught and counseled students from elementary through college levels, never giving up on a troubled student. He also worked tirelessly with the Latino community in Redwood City for years, endeavoring to further their education and rights. As an acknowledged force in these areas, he quickly expanded airline tickets consolidator this work to include citizens and immigrants airline tickets consolidator of all races. We have so many memories of our Dad and Husband. Trips to Mexico, Monday night "hangout sessions", motorcycles, vanilla ice cream, camping, airline tickets consolidator family meals every day (when we were kids), trips to Europe, hitchhiking, freedom, and stories. Gilbert passed in peace and comfort, surrounded by his wife of 59 years Mercedes (Itas) and their four sons, Pierre, airline tickets consolidator Dennis, Dana and Mike. He also leaves behind his sister, Consuelo airline tickets consolidator Zupp of Oxnard, Grandson Ben, stationed in Italy, and numerous nieces and nephews. The scattering of his ashes will be private, and done off of the California Coast. The family wishes to thank Dr. Sandeep Lal, and the staff of 4 West at Kaiser Hospital, Hayward, for their compassionate, caring and professional care.
"He was my 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher. A wonderful man..." - David Richards "rest in peace uncle" - BRETT Roath "Here's a website I dedicated to my Pop :o) ..." - Mike"Mickey" de la Rocha "My name is Ismael de la Rocha and I live in Ventura..." - ismael de la Rocha "I grew up across the street from Gilbert. I remember him with..." - Russ Pekkonen