Fidel Arroyo

Fidel C. Arroyo, 88, of Prunedale, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. He was born in Guanajuato, Mexico on April 24, 1925 to Luz Arroyo and Refugio Cardona. He was the youngest child of three. Fidel will be joining his brother, Jose Arroyo and his sister, Luz Arroyo, and meet his son, Antonio Arroyo in heaven. Fidel came to live in Castroville in 1943, where he worked as a field laborer and later worked all over Monterey county, picking everything from artichokes to cucumbers and strawberries. Fidel fell in love with Helen Pineda and they were married at the Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Castroville on July 27, 1952. In 1962, Fidel and Helen purchased their ranch on Echo Valley Road in Prunedale, where they raised their 10 children. Fidel was a share cropper for many years, then ran his own farm on his ranch. Fidel left a legacy and he will be remembered throughout Salinas, Watsonville and Prunedale for many years to come. A special "thanks" is exteneded to Sylvia Arroyo, who cared for our father prior to his passing. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Helen Arroyo of the family home in Prunedale his son, Fidel (Eleanor) Arroyo, Jr. daughters, Esmeralda (Humberto) Garcia Josie Gutierrez Rosario (Gabriel) Farias Trinidad Arroyo Sylvia Arroyo Elisa Arroyo Elena (Baudelio) Vasquez Angela (Sam) Shinnawi. Fidel also leaves behind 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Monday, May 20, 2013 1-9pm with a Rosary recital at 7pm, all at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Road, Salinas, CA 93905. A Celebration Mass will take place on Tuesday, May 21, at 10am at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 11140 Preston St., Castroville, CA 95012. Burial to follow services at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, CA 93907.