ENRIQUE GUTIERREZ
(April 21, 1939 in Praga-Huila, -Colombia
-June 17, 2011 in Norco, California -USA)
The fourth-born child of thirteen, and the first-born son to Rosa & Jesus Maria Gutierrez, Enrique Gutierrez came into the world on April 21, 1939, into an ever-growing, but loving home in his beloved Colombia, in the mountainous countryside hills of rural Praga-Huila. Though he only completed school through 2nd grade, as the eldest boy, Enrique was forced to work at a tender young age, due to economic hardships in the family. By age 11 in 1950, his family moved to the city of Cali, Colombia, where he continued to work to help raise all of his brothers & sisters. He proved a devoted son, and a ‘father figure' to his siblings.
As a young man, after the passing of his parents, Enrique's 'elder' role in the Gutierrez family had already been earned, and was the true patriarch of the family until the day he died. It was Enrique who everyone went to, whenever there were any problems of life. The love he showed for his family, earned the respect from all; a love and loyalty that never wavered through the decades.
By the late 1960s, he met (his first love), his life Celima Belalcazar, in 1968. It wasn't long, the two devoted to each other, soon married by December of that same year. In 1969, their son Carlos was born, followed by Ximena in 1971, and Francisco, in 1972. Later that year, Enrique completed his GED, and in 1974 he completed a degree in Accounting, just months before the sudden and heartbreaking loss of his beloved Celima in 1974. After much grief, he met and found solice in Susana Mejia, and by 1975 the two were married to help build a family again. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, the entire family moved to the 'City of Brotherly Love' -Philadelphia, in the U.S. Their daughter Yvette, was born in 1977.
Due to the cold seasons, the Philadelphia journey was short-lived, and soon Enrique moved his family to San Diego, in Southern California, where they lived with his brother-in-law Gonzalo Mejia. The next chapter of his life brought Enrique to Los Angeles to find work. Soon after, he was joined by his wife and children, where he made a life for his family. He worked at Hertz Car Agency, then as an insurance agent for American National. Though Enrique worked full-time to support his growing fammily, he continued to take college courses at night. By 1980 he was given an opportunity to work in his field of accounting, for a non-profit child care center, where he eventually earned his place for the next two decades. By September of that same year, Enrique secured the American dream of purchasing his first home in Whittier, California.
Though Enrique and Susana would later divorce, the two remained devoted to their family. Throughout the years Enrique always showed his devotion, love and loyalty for the loved ones in his life. He was such a devoted father; at times playing the role of both father and mother to his kids. With his experience, love and wisdom, he was always there to support and provide guidance to his family. Everywhere he went, he always carried such a presence about him.
We will never forget all the family gatherings, every occasions, and barbeques that he held at home. From his early days in Colombia, he would have many gatherings at his home on Sundays and for all special occasions. Siblings and their spouses, their children, and friends would gather; all would come into his welcoming home. A tradition that never changed.
Enrique always said his children gave him the most joy. In recent years, with pride, he saw his son Francisco graduate in 1994 from UCI as a Civil Engineer; and a few years later participating and anticipating with daughter Ximena, in the overseas birth of his first grandchild, Isabella in 1998, and Cathleen a year later. He saw his youngest daughter Yvette graduating from Dental school in 2002, and lived to see her marry, walking her down the isle, for her 2010 wedding. He took pride in his son Carlos in the births of Enrique's two Gutierrez grandsons, Joseph and Sebastian in 2005 and 2007.
In life, Enrique lived for his beloved children, who at the end, were gathered surrounding his bedside, as he passed peacefully from pancreatic cancer, in his Norco home, on the morning of June 17, 2011.
Reunited with his beloved Celima,
his loving legacy will never be forgotten.
~Descanse en paz, siempre. ...
Vigil:
Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial & Mortuary
11500 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, Ca 92505
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
6:00 pm
Mass:
St. Matthews Catholic Church
2140 West Ontario Ave.
Corona, Ca 92882
Friday, June 24th, 2011
10:30 am
Celebration of Life:
Gutierrez~ Pena Home
4490 Pedley Ave.
Norco, CA 92860
Saturday, June 25th, 2011
4:00 pm
(April 21, 1939 in Praga-Huila, -Colombia
-June 17, 2011 in Norco, California -USA)
The fourth-born child of thirteen, and the first-born son to Rosa & Jesus Maria Gutierrez, Enrique Gutierrez came into the world on April 21, 1939, into an ever-growing, but loving home in his beloved Colombia, in the mountainous countryside hills of rural Praga-Huila. Though he only completed school through 2nd grade, as the eldest boy, Enrique was forced to work at a tender young age, due to economic hardships in the family. By age 11 in 1950, his family moved to the city of Cali, Colombia, where he continued to work to help raise all of his brothers & sisters. He proved a devoted son, and a ‘father figure' to his siblings.
As a young man, after the passing of his parents, Enrique's 'elder' role in the Gutierrez family had already been earned, and was the true patriarch of the family until the day he died. It was Enrique who everyone went to, whenever there were any problems of life. The love he showed for his family, earned the respect from all; a love and loyalty that never wavered through the decades.
By the late 1960s, he met (his first love), his life Celima Belalcazar, in 1968. It wasn't long, the two devoted to each other, soon married by December of that same year. In 1969, their son Carlos was born, followed by Ximena in 1971, and Francisco, in 1972. Later that year, Enrique completed his GED, and in 1974 he completed a degree in Accounting, just months before the sudden and heartbreaking loss of his beloved Celima in 1974. After much grief, he met and found solice in Susana Mejia, and by 1975 the two were married to help build a family again. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, the entire family moved to the 'City of Brotherly Love' -Philadelphia, in the U.S. Their daughter Yvette, was born in 1977.
Due to the cold seasons, the Philadelphia journey was short-lived, and soon Enrique moved his family to San Diego, in Southern California, where they lived with his brother-in-law Gonzalo Mejia. The next chapter of his life brought Enrique to Los Angeles to find work. Soon after, he was joined by his wife and children, where he made a life for his family. He worked at Hertz Car Agency, then as an insurance agent for American National. Though Enrique worked full-time to support his growing fammily, he continued to take college courses at night. By 1980 he was given an opportunity to work in his field of accounting, for a non-profit child care center, where he eventually earned his place for the next two decades. By September of that same year, Enrique secured the American dream of purchasing his first home in Whittier, California.
Though Enrique and Susana would later divorce, the two remained devoted to their family. Throughout the years Enrique always showed his devotion, love and loyalty for the loved ones in his life. He was such a devoted father; at times playing the role of both father and mother to his kids. With his experience, love and wisdom, he was always there to support and provide guidance to his family. Everywhere he went, he always carried such a presence about him.
We will never forget all the family gatherings, every occasions, and barbeques that he held at home. From his early days in Colombia, he would have many gatherings at his home on Sundays and for all special occasions. Siblings and their spouses, their children, and friends would gather; all would come into his welcoming home. A tradition that never changed.
Enrique always said his children gave him the most joy. In recent years, with pride, he saw his son Francisco graduate in 1994 from UCI as a Civil Engineer; and a few years later participating and anticipating with daughter Ximena, in the overseas birth of his first grandchild, Isabella in 1998, and Cathleen a year later. He saw his youngest daughter Yvette graduating from Dental school in 2002, and lived to see her marry, walking her down the isle, for her 2010 wedding. He took pride in his son Carlos in the births of Enrique's two Gutierrez grandsons, Joseph and Sebastian in 2005 and 2007.
In life, Enrique lived for his beloved children, who at the end, were gathered surrounding his bedside, as he passed peacefully from pancreatic cancer, in his Norco home, on the morning of June 17, 2011.
Reunited with his beloved Celima,
his loving legacy will never be forgotten.
~Descanse en paz, siempre. ...
Vigil:
Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial & Mortuary
11500 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, Ca 92505
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
6:00 pm
Mass:
St. Matthews Catholic Church
2140 West Ontario Ave.
Corona, Ca 92882
Friday, June 24th, 2011
10:30 am
Celebration of Life:
Gutierrez~ Pena Home
4490 Pedley Ave.
Norco, CA 92860
Saturday, June 25th, 2011
4:00 pm
ENRIQUE GUTIERREZ
(April 21, 1939 in Praga-Huila, -Colombia
-June 17, 2011 in Norco, California -USA)
The fourth-born child of thirteen, and the first-born son to Rosa & Jesus Maria Gutierrez, Enrique Gutierrez came into the world on April 21, 1939, into an ever-growing, but loving home in his beloved Colombia, in the mountainous countryside hills of rural Praga-Huila. Though he only completed school through 2nd grade, as the eldest boy, Enrique was forced to work at a tender young age, due to economic hardships in the family. By age 11 in 1950, his family moved to the city of Cali, Colombia, where he continued to work to help raise all of his brothers & sisters. He proved a devoted son, and a ‘father figure' to his siblings.
As a young man, after the passing of his parents, Enrique's 'elder' role in the Gutierrez family had already been earned, and was the true patriarch of the family until the day he died. It was Enrique who everyone went to, whenever there were any problems of life. The love he showed for his family, earned the respect from all; a love and loyalty that never wavered through the decades.
By the late 1960s, he met (his first love), his life Celima Belalcazar, in 1968. It wasn't long, the two devoted to each other, soon married by December of that same year. In 1969, their son Carlos was born, followed by Ximena in 1971, and Francisco, in 1972. Later that year, Enrique completed his GED, and in 1974 he completed a degree in Accounting, just months before the sudden and heartbreaking loss of his beloved Celima in 1974. After much grief, he met and found solice in Susana Mejia, and by 1975 the two were married to help build a family again. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, the entire family moved to the 'City of Brotherly Love' -Philadelphia, in the U.S. Their daughter Yvette, was born in 1977.
Due to the cold seasons, the Philadelphia journey was short-lived, and soon Enrique moved his family to San Diego, in Southern California, where they lived with his brother-in-law Gonzalo Mejia. The next chapter of his life brought Enrique to Los Angeles to find work. Soon after, he was joined by his wife and children, where he made a life for his family. He worked at Hertz Car Agency, then as an insurance agent for American National. Though Enrique worked full-time to support his growing fammily, he continued to take college courses at night. By 1980 he was given an opportunity to work in his field of accounting, for a non-profit child care center, where he eventually earned his place for the next two decades. By September of that same year, Enrique secured the American dream of purchasing his first home in Whittier, California.
Though Enrique and Susana would later divorce, the two remained devoted to their family. Throughout the years Enrique always showed his devotion, love and loyalty for the loved ones in his life. He was such a devoted father; at times playing the role of both father and mother to his kids. With his experience, love and wisdom, he was always there to support and provide guidance to his family. Everywhere he went, he always carried such a presence about him.
We will never forget all the family gatherings, every occasions, and barbeques that he held at home. From his early days in Colombia, he would have many gatherings at his home on Sundays and for all special occasions. Siblings and their spouses, their children, and friends would gather; all would come into his welcoming home. A tradition that never changed.
Enrique always said his children gave him the most joy. In recent years, with pride, he saw his son Francisco graduate in 1994 from UCI as a Civil Engineer; and a few years later participating and anticipating with daughter Ximena, in the overseas birth of his first grandchild, Isabella in 1998, and Cathleen a year later. He saw his youngest daughter Yvette graduating from Dental school in 2002, and lived to see her marry, walking her down the isle, for her 2010 wedding. He took pride in his son Carlos in the births of Enrique's two Gutierrez grandsons, Joseph and Sebastian in 2005 and 2007.
In life, Enrique lived for his beloved children, who at the end, were gathered surrounding his bedside, as he passed peacefully from pancreatic cancer, in his Norco home, on the morning of June 17, 2011.
Reunited with his beloved Celima,
his loving legacy will never be forgotten.
~Descanse en paz, siempre. ...
Vigil:
Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial & Mortuary
11500 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, Ca 92505
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
6:00 pm
Mass:
St. Matthews Catholic Church
2140 West Ontario Ave.
Corona, Ca 92882
Friday, June 24th, 2011
10:30 am
Celebration of Life:
Gutierrez~ Pena Home
4490 Pedley Ave.
Norco, CA 92860
Saturday, June 25th, 2011
4:00 pm
(April 21, 1939 in Praga-Huila, -Colombia
-June 17, 2011 in Norco, California -USA)
The fourth-born child of thirteen, and the first-born son to Rosa & Jesus Maria Gutierrez, Enrique Gutierrez came into the world on April 21, 1939, into an ever-growing, but loving home in his beloved Colombia, in the mountainous countryside hills of rural Praga-Huila. Though he only completed school through 2nd grade, as the eldest boy, Enrique was forced to work at a tender young age, due to economic hardships in the family. By age 11 in 1950, his family moved to the city of Cali, Colombia, where he continued to work to help raise all of his brothers & sisters. He proved a devoted son, and a ‘father figure' to his siblings.
As a young man, after the passing of his parents, Enrique's 'elder' role in the Gutierrez family had already been earned, and was the true patriarch of the family until the day he died. It was Enrique who everyone went to, whenever there were any problems of life. The love he showed for his family, earned the respect from all; a love and loyalty that never wavered through the decades.
By the late 1960s, he met (his first love), his life Celima Belalcazar, in 1968. It wasn't long, the two devoted to each other, soon married by December of that same year. In 1969, their son Carlos was born, followed by Ximena in 1971, and Francisco, in 1972. Later that year, Enrique completed his GED, and in 1974 he completed a degree in Accounting, just months before the sudden and heartbreaking loss of his beloved Celima in 1974. After much grief, he met and found solice in Susana Mejia, and by 1975 the two were married to help build a family again. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, the entire family moved to the 'City of Brotherly Love' -Philadelphia, in the U.S. Their daughter Yvette, was born in 1977.
Due to the cold seasons, the Philadelphia journey was short-lived, and soon Enrique moved his family to San Diego, in Southern California, where they lived with his brother-in-law Gonzalo Mejia. The next chapter of his life brought Enrique to Los Angeles to find work. Soon after, he was joined by his wife and children, where he made a life for his family. He worked at Hertz Car Agency, then as an insurance agent for American National. Though Enrique worked full-time to support his growing fammily, he continued to take college courses at night. By 1980 he was given an opportunity to work in his field of accounting, for a non-profit child care center, where he eventually earned his place for the next two decades. By September of that same year, Enrique secured the American dream of purchasing his first home in Whittier, California.
Though Enrique and Susana would later divorce, the two remained devoted to their family. Throughout the years Enrique always showed his devotion, love and loyalty for the loved ones in his life. He was such a devoted father; at times playing the role of both father and mother to his kids. With his experience, love and wisdom, he was always there to support and provide guidance to his family. Everywhere he went, he always carried such a presence about him.
We will never forget all the family gatherings, every occasions, and barbeques that he held at home. From his early days in Colombia, he would have many gatherings at his home on Sundays and for all special occasions. Siblings and their spouses, their children, and friends would gather; all would come into his welcoming home. A tradition that never changed.
Enrique always said his children gave him the most joy. In recent years, with pride, he saw his son Francisco graduate in 1994 from UCI as a Civil Engineer; and a few years later participating and anticipating with daughter Ximena, in the overseas birth of his first grandchild, Isabella in 1998, and Cathleen a year later. He saw his youngest daughter Yvette graduating from Dental school in 2002, and lived to see her marry, walking her down the isle, for her 2010 wedding. He took pride in his son Carlos in the births of Enrique's two Gutierrez grandsons, Joseph and Sebastian in 2005 and 2007.
In life, Enrique lived for his beloved children, who at the end, were gathered surrounding his bedside, as he passed peacefully from pancreatic cancer, in his Norco home, on the morning of June 17, 2011.
Reunited with his beloved Celima,
his loving legacy will never be forgotten.
~Descanse en paz, siempre. ...
Vigil:
Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial & Mortuary
11500 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, Ca 92505
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
6:00 pm
Mass:
St. Matthews Catholic Church
2140 West Ontario Ave.
Corona, Ca 92882
Friday, June 24th, 2011
10:30 am
Celebration of Life:
Gutierrez~ Pena Home
4490 Pedley Ave.
Norco, CA 92860
Saturday, June 25th, 2011
4:00 pm
