Juan Bernal Raigosa

Juan Bernal Raigosa was born in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico on February 8, 1923. After a year long battle with cancer, he passed away at home with several family members by his side on November 22, 2011.

Juan was the son of Juana and Francisco Raygoza. The youngest of 10 children, he had six sisters and three brothers. When he was in second grade his grandfather died so he had to stop attending school to tend sheep and help support the family. Even as a child, he wanted to come to the United States. He and his brother Manuel would sit in the window of their adobe house and study a Spanish/English Dictionary. He kept such a dictionary by his side all of his life and took great pleasure in studying the language differences.

In 1945 he came to the U.S. under the Bracero Program, literally “strong arm,” an agreement between the US and Mexico to bring contract laborers to the States to support the war effort. He worked all over California, picking 24 different fruits and vegetables. He met Ethel Franks when they were both picking fruit in Tehama County, and they were married in Reno, Nevada. They moved to Roseville when Juan began working for the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1959 the family moved to Auburn.

In 1969 Ethel died in a car accident while trying to deliver supplies to the Indian occupiers of Alcatraz. Juan was left to raise his 5 children alone, with a little help from the oldest children.

He was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance Way Employees, and retired from the railroad after 29 years of injury-free service. After retirement he kept himself busy by maintaining his yard and growing a spectacular vegetable garden every summer. Many people recognized him as ‘the man in the pink house at the end of Nevada St. with the immaculate yard and cactus garden.”

Juan was a hardworking man his entire life. He was a perfectionist and didn’t believe in doing a job if it wasn’t done right. He was extremely self-sufficient; he taught himself many things, including how to read and write English. Juan was also innovative, always able to find a way to make whatever he needed out of whatever he had; nothing went to waste. He was a great cook, especially his salsa, tacos, cactus, and tortillas. Juan was tough as nails, yet had the heart of an angel. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to crack jokes. He was a good father, known to many as “Daddy.”

Juan is survived by his children: Juan (and Linda) of Auburn, CA.; Mary (and David), of Pecwan, CA; Francisco (and Patti) of Eagle Point, OR; Lisa of Arcata, CA; and Paul of Weimar, CA. His grandchildren: Natoshua (and Jacob), Jodie, Ryan (and Kristi), Jessica (and Bryan), Daniel (and Angel), Michael, Christopher, and Ellen. His great-grandchildren: Ethan, Paige, Makynlee, Blakely, and Donte.

A special thank you to the hospice gals Maggie & Connie, to Sonia Keller-Lapointe and to Jessica & Lisa for all the loving care they provided. Visitation will be on Friday, Dec. 2nd from 5-7 at Chapel of the Hills. The memorial service will be Sat., Dec. 3rd at 11:00 at Chapel of the Hills. Pall bearers: Juan Raigoza, Francisco Raigosa, Paul Raigosa, Daniel Salas, David Sanders, Jacob Schauffler. A reception will follow the service at the Verterans Hall, 100 East Street, Auburn, CA 95603. In lieu of flowers please donate to Sutter Auburn Faith Hospice.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.