Herbert Hidalgo

Herbert
”
Shorty
”
Hidalgo died in Gilroy on Friday, Aug. 29, following a lengthy
illness. He was 51.
Herbert Hidalgo

Herbert “Shorty” Hidalgo died in Gilroy on Friday, Aug. 29, following a lengthy illness. He was 51.

Hidalgo was born in San Jose, was raised in Gilroy and graduated from Gilroy High School in 1970. After school, he began a 33-year career as a diesel mechanic and was currently employed at Hildebrand Trucking Company in Pajaro. He also started his own trucking company, Hidalgo and Son Trucking in 1996. He enjoyed fishing, attending hot rod shows, drag races, motorcycle rallies and Stones concerts. He was also in the process of building a Fat Boy.

He is survived by his wife, Joni Martorano-Hidalgo of Aromas, his daughter, Lettie Hidalgo of Gilroy, son John (Estela) Hidalgo of Gilroy, daughter, Deanna Hidalgo of Aromas; grandchildren, Dante Fullard, Maryjane, Miara, Elijah and Noah Hidalgo, all of Gilroy. He is the step-father of, Richard J. (Penny) Soto of Morgan Hill, Jared Soto of Brentwood, Calif.; the step-grandfather of Richard Jr. and Nicholas Soto of Morgan Hill. He is the son-in-law of Janice Martorano of Morgan Hill and is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, Mike and Frances Hidalgo, Ralph and Gwen Hidalgo of Campbell, Carmen and Don Clevenger of Kelseyville, Calif., Romona Renteria of Delano, Gloria and Gil Garcia, Mary and Bob Angulo, Rita and Max Heredia, and Henry Hidalgo, all of Gilroy and his brothers and sisters in law; John and Susan Martorano of Hollister, Janet Harrington of Oklahoma and Olivia Hidalgo of Bakersfield. Many nieces, nephews and friends, including good friends, Mike Sakamoto of Gilroy, Tony Guevarra of Watsonville, and Kelvin Hildebrand of Watsonville, and Hildebrand Trucking Co. employees and sub-haulers also survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raphael and Josefa Hidalgo, his brother Joe Hidalgo, his father-in-law, Frank J. Martorano.

Vigils service will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy. Services will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home and then proceed to St. Mary’s Church for a funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow.

Friends are invited to ride their motorcycles in tribute to Herb during the procession.