Manuel Gonzalez Galvan

Manuel Galvan Gonzalez passed away on October 17 th , 2025, in Napa, California. Born March 29 th , 1937, in Tangancícuaro, Michoacán to Jesus Galvan Barajas and Maria Candelaria Gonzalez Fernandez. Manuel grew up in his small town in Mexico with ten other siblings. As a young boy he loved to spend time riding his bicycle with his friends and brothers and going to El Cine together. Later his family moved to Zamora where he met his beautiful wife, Carmen Cuadra Villegas. They married on February 28 th , 1957, and moved to Mexico City to start their life together. During this time, he worked in one of Mexico City’s municipal buildings. Manuel and Carmen would proceed to grow their family with the addition of three children, Manuel Jr, Carlos, and Socorro. In 1962 Manuel Sr. would immigrate to the United States in hopes of providing a better life for his growing family. During the time he was in the United States he worked in Los Angeles in the construction business. Eventually his wife Carmen and their three children would reunite on March 28 th , 1963. Shortly thereafter, in 1964 they welcomed their fourth child Fernando. As a family, they moved up to northern California and settled in the Napa Valley for 25 years. Their family continued to expand with the birth of their remaining two children, Angelica and Jaime, for a total of six children. In 1990, Manuel, Carmen and their youngest son, Jaime moved to Suisun City and lived in Solano County for 33 years. Manuel Sr. was a dedicated and hardworking man that labored over 50 years of his life. He played an integral role in leading crews at the jobsites for M.F. Shipley Plastering Co in Vallejo. He gained the respect of the owner through his hard work and dedication. Years later, Manuel Sr. took his years of experience and became a foreman and successfully lead his crew for the Hoffman Construction Co in Fairfield. During his years at Hoffman, he had the pleasure of working alongside his son Manuel Jr. Plastering was the family business and Manuel Sr.’s boys would go on to build their own plastering companies, and in his later years he would personally help them as well. Manuel Sr. deeply cherished this time working alongside his four boys. Later in his retirement, Manuel Sr. enjoyed the company and love of his family and all of life’s simple everyday pleasures. Manuel was an avid golfer and a lover of the game. He golfed with his sons and son-in-law, and in numerous tournaments as a member of the Mexican American Golf Association (MAGA). He also delighted in playing bingo with his wife Carmen. He was a beloved father and adoring grandfather “Abuelo” to his seventeen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Manuel loved nature. He spent his days tending to his garden in his backyard, watering his many beautiful flowers and picking the ripe fruit: strawberries, grapes, oranges, lemons, camotes, figs, and many others. He also enjoyed fishing with loved ones as well. Manuel Sr. treasured every minute of every day, it didn’t matter what he did, from watching TV, reminiscing to the music of Piporro and other artists from his youth, teeing up in the backyard with his grandchildren, doing his daily Walmart and Dollar Tree runs, peeling the nopales in his spot in the backyard, or savoring the many holidays and family parties together. He had a love for life and his family greater than all. Manuel is predeceased by his parents, his daughter Socorrito, and his siblings: Alicia, Virginia, Jesus, Raul, Jose, and Carmen. He is survived by his wife Carmen of 68 years; his five children, Manuel Galvan Jr. (Cheryl Galvan), Carlos Galvan (Maria Loza), Fernando Galvan, Angelica Russell (Scott Russell), and Jaime Galvan (Alesha Galvan); his seventeen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; his siblings: Salvador, Ricardo, Maria Elena, Fernando, and many extended relatives as well. Manuel Sr. was an industrious worker, kind-hearted, soft-spoken, gentle spirited, loving individual. He had an infectious smile and contagious laugh that was adored by all. The passing of our beloved patriarch of the family will be forever felt and deeply missed. Rest in Peace, Abuelo.

Tributes

Manuel Gonzalez Galvan

March 29, 1937 - October 17, 2025