Leonel G. Lorta

Leonel Garza Lorta passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his Santa Clara, California home on the morning of May 10, 2023. He was born in Jimenez, Coahuila, Mexico on May 14, 1937.

"Leo." as he was known to most, married the love of his life, Maria Evangelina Garcia on March 23, 1957 in Jimenez, Coahuila, Mexico. They lived and raised their family in various parts of Texas and California before finally finding their forever home in Santa Clara, California.

Leonel is preceded in death by his wife Maria Evangelina Garcia Lorta, (they were married 65 years), and by his Father, Inocencio Mendez Lorta and Mother Cleofas Garza Lorta, of Jimenez, Coahuila, Mexico.

Also preceding him in death are his siblings and their spouses: Francisco Garza Lorta (Cruz Davalos) and Guadalupe Lorta Talamantez (Elias Trevino Talamantez).

Surviving is one brother & spouse: Orlando Garza Lorta (Leticia Martinez Lorta). He also leaves behind his loving children and their spouses/partners: Leonel Lorta Jr. (Julian Bledsoe), Laura A. Lorta Bursese (Raymond Bursese), Hilda Lorta, and Nancy Lorta (Pedro Garduno).

Also surviving him are his beloved grandchildren: David Alexander Lorta Martinez, Evangelina Nicole Bursese, and Lillian Nevaeh Lorta Garduno as well as many nieces and nephews and his forever-caring Sister-In-Law, Maria Antonia Constancia Garcia, the last surviving Elder of the Garcia Family.

Leonel leaves behind an enduring legacy of honor, strength, faith, humility and love for his family. His work ethic speaks loudly for him as he always provided for his family with hard work. As a teen, he worked in Texas installing barb wire fences for ranchers to help his parents in Mexico. Hard labor did not bother him; he would take whatever job available to provide for his family. Later in life, married with young children, he moved to California where he worked in different jobs until he joined a union, becoming a cement finisher where he worked until he retired as a mason from the Joseph J. Albanese Company.

Leonel worked in construction for many years and was proud of never calling in sick. He was a union member for 50 years!

One of his notable passions was driving to the local convenience store with Hilda for his favorite drink and scratch-off lotto tickets. He loved his steak prepared in any manner, as long as it was steak. He would go to the grocery store for only steak, until he got in trouble with Mom because the freezer was full, and she had no room for anything else. He would sit in his chair on the front porch smoking, drinking his coffee, and waving to the neighbors, saying hello to everyone who walked by. Another of his passions was pumpkin pie and bananas.

“Leo” and “Eva’s” love for each other never paused. They were equally devoted to each other. They cared for each other. Until June of last year, Leo always looked after Eva. He would sit with her when she fell asleep in the recliner. He would remind her of her medications. He would make sure she always had access to the oxygen machine when she needed it. He would get down on his knees and help her put on her socks and shoes, then struggle to get back up, but he would never let her go without her socks. Eva was Leo’s everything.

The family will host a visitation at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 5:30 pm and a rosary service at 6:30 pm at the same location.

On Wednesday, May 31, 2023 visitation will begin at 11:00 am with an Aztec Blessing at 12:00 pm and funeral services at 12:30 pm, all at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary.

A Committal Service will follow at 2 pm at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.