Gerardo (Jerry Jr.) Javier Loyola
Gerardo (Jerry Jr.) Javier Loyola, of Watsonville, died October 6, 2009 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 24 years old. Gerardo was born on August 23, 1985 in Santa Cruz to Gerardo and Maria Loyola. He attended Watsonville schools and graduated from Watsonville High School in 2004 where he was a member of the golf team. He worked at Spring Hills Golf Course and was attending Cabrillo College where he was focusing on a degree in Business. His goal was to run operations of a golf course.
Gerardo was an outstanding junior high wrestler, where his only loss in his eighth grade year was to a World Champion. He was named Lakeview Middle School’s Outstanding Athlete in 2000 after winning cross country, wrestling, and track and field championships. However, his passion was golf. He played 6 years of competitive high school and junior college golf. Gerardo “Jerry” was one of the top junior golfers in the area. He qualified for Central Coast Section Golf Finals as a sophomore and he was the Outstanding Senior Golfer in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League in 2004. He had the best scoring average on the 2006 Cabrillo College golf team and he qualified for Northern California Junior College Golf Finals in 2006. He was a member of many winning teams in local tournaments. He was especially proud of his team, the 19th Hole Patrol, the 2008 Spring Hills Twilight Champions.
Jerry is survived by his parents Gerardo and Maria Loyola, his sisters Maritza and Katrina of Watsonville, and his girlfriend, Jillene Bertone of Aptos. He also leaves his maternal grandparents, Juanita and Antonio Rodriguez, his paternal grandfather, Frank Loyola, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of Porterville, CA. He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Rogelia (Sally) Loyola, and his cousin, Christopher Vasquez.
Gerardo was a very tender soul. He always offered a friendly hello and an attentive ear to all. Gerardo was especially loved by his extended family at the Spring Hills Golf Course where he worked for over ten years and his friends at the Pajaro Valley Golf Course where he played for over ten years. Gerardo had a passion for life, particularly sports and music. Away from the golf course you could find him on the slopes in Tahoe, seeking out and supporting new acoustic artists, and most recently, attending the Inauguration for President Barack Obama in Washington D.C.
Gerardo had an infectious smile that would liven up any room. He was known by all as a loyal friend and supportive team mate. Gerardo was a good person in every sense of the word. We will all be better people from having known him.
Visitation will take place Monday, October 12th from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel, 222 East Lake Ave. Watsonville.
A rosary and vigil will be held Monday evening at 7:00 PM at the Valley Catholic Church, 2401 East Lake Ave., Watsonville where Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 1:00 PM.
Burial will take place at the Valley Public Cemetery.
