Fermin S. Parra passed away on August 14, 2011, after a short illness and hospitalization at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto.
Fermin was the sole owner and operator of Fermin’s Appliance Service in Gilroy. Through his repair business, Fermin proudly served many of the residents of Gilroy and surrounding communities with service and repair of their appliances for more than 25 years until his recent retirement.
He worked at the Firestone Tire & Rubber Plant in Salinas until it closed in 1980. Fermin attended a trade school where he learned appliance repair, then worked for Fortino’s Appliance in Hollister for several years before opening his own business. He was a former member of the Gilroy Elks Lodge.
Fermin was born in Pomona, CA and came to Gilroy with his parents and younger sisters when he was a young child. He was raised in Gilroy and attended local schools. In 1962 he married Connie Campa and they had 4 children; Fermin, Terri, Steven and Lisa and lived in Salinas and Gilroy until their divorce in 1988.
Fermin loved watching football, shooting at the target range with his son Steven, cooking special things for his family, and attending the many celebrations and family events with his children and grandchildren.
Fermin considered his most important role in life to be a father and provider to his family and teaching great values and work ethics to his children.
He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Fermin was pre-deceased by his father, Fermin H. Parra.
He is survived by his four children; Fermin C. Parra, Terri Rahiri, Steven Parra (Debbie), Lisa Magana (Ignacio), his companion of 7 years Sarah Montez, his mother Helen Morris, his grandchildren Fermin R. Parra, Philip Parra, DJ Parra, Alysa Magana, Stephanie Rahiri, Michelle Parra, Matthew Magana, Sabrina Rahiri, Ashley Parra, Jacob Rahiri, Melissa Parra, and Morgan Parra, his sisters, Patricia Aguirre and Christina Duran. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives and friends.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 19, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 4th Street, Gilroy, CA.
Condolences can be made at www.HabingFamilyFuneralHome.com
