Louis P. Ayala Sr. died Saturday, April 3 at Hazel Hawkins
Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 84.
Louis P. Ayala Sr. died Saturday, April 3 at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 84.
Mr. Ayala was a lifetime resident of San Juan Bautista, having moved to San Benito County when he was 3 years old.
As a young man, he worked for Reno Cornaggio at San Juan Bakery. When he was 15, Mike Bonafante of Mission Foods hired him as a bagboy. He started his own market, San Juan Supermarket, in 1955. In July of 1967, he returned to what was formerly Mission Foods as owner of Plaza Market.
He was a member of Old Mission San Juan Bautista and the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid gardener and loved music and dancing. He had a great love for animals. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Mr. Ayala is survived by his wife, Ruth M. Ayala, sons Louis P. (Glenna) Ayala Jr., Ronald P. (Marilyn) Ayala and Frederick J. Ayala, daughters Barbara A. (Edward) Gonzalez and Cynthia M. (Richard) Vasquez, all of Hollister, and sister Elvira Guaracha, of San Juan Bautista.
He is survived by grandchildren Tara Mendolla, Aaron Ayala, Kendra Barrett, Ryan Ayala, Andrea Ayala, Nathan Ayala and Nicole Vasquez, all of Hollister, and Heather Galu, of Gilroy. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Kylie and Kenna Barrett and Tea Mendolla, all of Hollister, and Dominic and Logan Galu, of Gilroy.
Friends may visit Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home on Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m. The funeral services will be Wednesday morning from the funeral home at 9:30 a.m., proceeding to Old Mission San Juan Bautista for a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial and graveside services will follow at San Juan District Cemetery.
Contributions are preferred to the American Cancer Society or Spiritual Bouquets (Masses) at Mission San Juan Bautista.
