Gordon E. Farotte, Sr., a third generation Gilroy native, passed away at his home in Gilroy, March 15, 2008. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Maybelle, his four children and their spouses, and eight grand children.
Gordon was born in Gilroy March 23, 1925 and attended Gilroy High School. He left high school early in order to serve in the Navy during World War II. He is a combat veteran of the Pacificc Theater of operations serving in ship to shore communications on numerous amphibious landings. He is one of few in his combat battalion who survived the war.
After the war, Gordon returned to the Gilroy area. Shortly after his return, he met and married his wife May, on March 27, 1948. When they married, they started their life together in a small apartment above the Hall’s store on the corner of 6th and Monterey next to the famous Casey Tibbs bucking cowboy. All together they had $500 in cash and a pick-up truck with no brakes.
He began work as a carpenter and worked for local contractors Hans Severinsin and William Radke and Sons. In October 1949, he got his contractor’s license and began a long and successful career as a general contractor in the Gilroy area. Gordon is one of the real self made men of his generation. He started with nothing and built a successful business still in operation today. He is widely known as an honest man whose word was his bond. His dedication to quality in everything he did is evidenced by the many structures he built. He built many of the landmark buildings in Gilroy, including: the City Hall, the Library, the original Police Station, the Court House, and all three of Gilroy’s Fire Stations. He also built the Outlet Center, the Eagle Ridge Club House, the Elk’s Lodge, many of the local schools, shopping centers, bank buildings, offices and industrial buildings in the area. Beyond his love for construction, Gordon was a man who loved his family above all else. Always there for his family, in every way, he never missed a chance to spend time with those closest to him. Never asking for anything himeself, he was generous with not only his time, but with this love, devotion and care.
Visitation will be held at the Habing Family Funeral Home, Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Private services will be held for the family later in the week. The family would appreciate that no flowers be sent and that any donations be made to the American Heart Association.
