Grandpa Pete was born on April 13, 1926 in Los Angeles, California and had been a resident of Santa Paula for ninety years. He was a member of The Labors Construction Local 585 for sixty-nine years. Peter served our country, courageously fighting in World War II for four years in the 38th Div. Bataan Luzon Island. He was awarded a bronze star, medals for Asiatic Pacific Campaign, WWII Victory, Combat Infantry Badge 1st award, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar and Good Conduct.
He was a faithful man, serving as an usher for Saint Sebastian and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parishes. As a dedicated volunteer to his community, Pete founded UNITY baseball club and sponsored local youth baseball and softball athletes for approximately thirty years. During that time Pete became known as “Mr. Unity” down at Harding Park. He always answered the call from Santa Paula Little League and the Boys & Girls Club for any fundraising or construction projects. In 2012, Peter was recognized by Santa Paula and the State of California as he received the Santa Paula Latino Town Hall Youth Award; honoring him for all his years of service to the youth of Santa Paula. Pete was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and a co-founder and president of the Mexican American Civic Organization.
Throughout his life, Pete enjoyed camping at numerous National Parks. He went from tent camping in the forests to glamping in the RV with his daughter and son-in-law, in his later years. Grandpa Pete liked watching NFL games, cheering on the Lakers, Dodgers, and UCLA, playing cards, watching cartoons with his great-grandchildren, and praying the rosary. During the Big Band Era, you could spot Pete dancing the night away with his gorgeous wife, Rose, at the hot spots in Southern California. Faith and family was of utmost importance to him and he instilled those values in his family.
Pete is survived by his loving daughters Angie (Jess) Solis and Tommie (Edward) Reyes; and grandchildren Rosemary (Larry) Navarro, Albert (Janice) Sevilla, Lorraine (John) Buckley, Patricia Medrano, Ernie (Denny) Sevilla, Eileen Sevilla, Louie (Ellen) Sevilla, Gina Bautista, Alex Galvan, David (Macie) Arguelles, Annette (Ismael) Cordero, Melissa (Ramiro) Delgadillo, Kristen (Danny) Wreesman; thirty-five great grandchildren, fifty-one great-great grandchildren, and five great-great-great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He has been reunited with his beloved wife, Rose Sanchez; children Ernest and Alfred Sevilla; grandchildren Carmen Herrera and Sandra Vela; siblings and parents.
A special thank you to Pete’s son-in-law, Eddie Reyes, for selflessly caring for him for the last ten years. The family would also like to thank his physician, Dr. Mike Tushla, Susana Rivera Rodriguez, Father Charles, and the staff of Livingston Memorial.
“Vaya con Dios”