Gerardo "Gera" Daniel Torrero Sandoval

Gerardo "Gera" Daniel Torrero Sandoval, age 23 passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024. Gera was born on February 7, 2001, at 11:01 AM in San Diego, California. His parents, Bertha A. Sandoval and Ricardo Torrero Estrada, welcomed him into their growing family with their two daughters, Mayra G. Torrero Sandoval (8) and Mariela Torrero Sandoval (3). Not only is he the youngest of his siblings, but he is also the only boy in a staunch Mexican family which means that he is the indisputable favorite child. At a young age, Gerardo knew that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of a dear family friend and decided to join the US Navy after graduating from high school. "Once a Scottie, Always a Scottie," Gera graduated from Helix Charter High School in 2019 alongside some of his greatest friends. While high school may be a scary experience to some, Gera ventured forth unafraid of what was to come. He found enjoyment and pride in the Helix Instrumental Music Program as a trombone player. Over time, he expanded his knowledge to other instruments including the tenor drums which he played for Winter Drumline. Gerardo's creativity is unmatched. As a musician, he honed his skills in composing music and developed innovative concepts for marching band field shows. His deep pride for his school and his musical abilities radiated through every piece he created, eventually becoming the focal point of his Senior Project. Gera met many of his closest friends during those grueling summer days on the field at Band Camp. Although he met Aldo and Santiago in elementary school, he also cultivated a special bond with Sebastian, Max, and Chris Lau on and off the field, wreaking havoc wherever they went.

After high school, Gera reported to Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois where he spent 10 weeks learning to become a proper sailor. His division had the honor of performing at their graduation ceremony, where Gera once again had the chance to play the tenor drums. He graduated from Recruit Training Command on September 6, 2019, and remained on base for the rest of the year. In 2020, Gerardo had the privilege of attending "A" School at the Naval Base in San Diego, giving him the chance to be with his family. Soon thereafter, Gerardo reported to the USS Cole in Norfolk, Virginia, and remained there until the time of his passing. Within 4 years, Gerardo progressed from a Third Class Petty Officer to a First Class Petty Officer and was selected as the 2022 Junior Sailor of the Year. During his tour, he was awarded three Navy Achievement Medals and was an essential part of the USS Cole's Damage Control Flying Squad. His shipmates remember him as a prankster, a meme connoisseur, a big eater, and a selfless yet strong leader with the desire to improve himself and those around him. FC1 TorreroSandoval was the person they could count on to boost morale even when times were low. He touched the lives of so many in such a short time that his loss is also felt deeply by the Cole. His partner in crime, GM1 Coombs, spent countless hours with Gera pulling pranks on the ship and chilling off-shore playing video games into the late hours of the night. GM1 Coombs, along with his shipmates, were Gerardo's home away from home.

Gera is and was extremely talented, and his deep passion for his interests showcases his unwavering dedication to mastering his crafts. He loved his family and his dogs but also gained an interest in lock picking, Lego building, creating memes and videos, and playing the snare drum at 7 AM while his sisters tried to sleep. His dedication to serving his country, owning guns, and riding a motorcycle stems from his dear friend ET1 Weinrich. Although Geradini was an extremely annoying big "little" brother, his family loved him very much and spoiled him any chance they got. Gera and his sisters spent countless hours at Disneyland hopping onto his favorite rides including Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones Adventure. There was never a moment in which Gera walked through the parks without a churro in each hand, a goofy smile on his face, and a pair of lace-up Converse on his feet. Gerardo was and always will be our pride and joy. His deep laugh is instantly recognizable, his spirit is irreplaceable, and we will carry him in our hearts always 💖

A velacion (wake) for Gera will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Chula Vista, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910. A misa (mass service) will occur Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. John of the Cross, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. A committal service will occur Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122.

**We kindly request that on the day of the service, attendees who possess Converse shoes consider wearing them. They were my brother's favorite shoes and we wish to honor his memory through this special request.**

Dinner will be provided after the service, none of it sponsored by Gera as per usual.

[Español]

Gerardo "Gera" Daniel Torrero Sandoval, edad 23 fallecio el Viernes, Marzo 29, 2024. Gera nacio en Febrero 7, 2001, a las 11:01 AM en San Diego, California. Sus padres, Bertha A. Sandoval y Ricardo Torrero Estrada, le dieron la bienvenida junto con sus hijas, Mayra G. Torrero Sandoval (8) y Mariela Torrero Sandoval (3). No solamente es el mas joven de sus hermanos, pero tambien es el unico hombre en una familia honrorosamente Mexicana lo cual lo convierte en el hijo favorito indiscutible. Ah un edad muy joven, Gerardo sabia que el queria segir en los pasos de un amigo querido de la familia y decidio unirse a la Naval de los Estados Unidos en cuanto terminara la preparatoria. "Una Vez un Scottie, Siempre un Scottie," Gera se graduo de Helix Charter High School en 2019 con sus mejores amigos. Aunque la preparatoria sea una experiencia temerosa para unos, Gera se aventuro adelante sin miedo a lo que estaba por venir. El encontro felicidad y se sintio horgulloso de ser parte del Programa Musical de Helix como un trombonista. Atraves de su tiempo, continuo aprendiendo a tocar otros instrumentos como los tambores tenor para Winter Drumline (Ensamble de Tambores de Invierno). La creatividad de Gerardo es inigualable. Como musico, perfecciono sus habilidades de componer musica y creo conceptos innovadores para espectaculos de campo para bandas de marcha. El orgullo por su escuela y sus habilidades musicales brillan en cada pieza que el creo, despues esto fuel el punto focal de sus Projecto de Senior. Gera conocio a muchos amigos sercanos durante esos dias largos y calurosos en el campo de futbol Americano durante campamento de banda. Aunque el conocio a Aldo y Santiago en la primaria, el tambien cultivo una amistad perdurable con Sebastian, Max, y Chris Lau dentro y fuera de el campo, causando caos divertidos dondequiera que iban.

Despues de la preparatoria, Gerardo se reporto a Boot Camp en Great Lakes, Illinois donde duro 10 semanas aprendiendo como ser un buen marinero. Su division tuvo el gran honor de tocar durante la ceremonia de graduacion de boot camp. Esto le dio a Gera la oportunidad de tocar los tambores nuevamente. El se graduo de Recruit Training Command el 6 de Septiembre en el 2019, y se quedo en la base por el resto del año. En el año 2020, Gerardo tuvo el privilejio de atender la escuela en la Base Naval de San Diego, donde tuvo la oportunidad de estar serca de su familia. Despues, Gerardo se reporto al barco USS Cole en Norfolk, Virginia, y ahi permanesio hasta el dia que fallecio. Dentro de los quatro años, Gerardo avanso de Maestre de Terccera Clase a Maestre de Primera Clase y fue selectionado como Marinero Junior del Año 2022. Durante su turno, el fue galardonado tres Medallas de Logro de la Marina y fue una parte esencial del Escuadron Volador de Control de Daños en el barco USS Cole. Sus compañeros de barco lo recordaran como un travieso bromista, un conocedor de memes, un comelon, y un lider desinteresado pero fuerte con los deceos de mejorase a si mismo y a los que lo rodeaban. FC1 TorreroSandoval fue la persona en quien puderon contar para levantar los animos durante tiempos dificiles. Toco las vidas de muchos en tan poco tiempo que su perdida esta sentida por sus compañeros del barco, dejando un profundo avismo de dolor. Su complice en las travesuras, GM1 Coombs, paso muchas horas con Gera haciendo bromas divertidas en el barco y haciendo sonreir a los demas con sus ocurrencias. Pasaron much horas jugando video jugos en su casa hasta muy tarde. GM1 Coombs y los compañeros del barco fueron el secundo hogar y familia de Gerardo.

Gera era muy talentoso y su pasion profunda por sus intereses demostraron su dedicacion a mejorar sus habilidades. El amaba a su familia y a sus perritos, pero tambien adquirio un interes en abrir candados, Legos, creando memes y videos, y tocando el tambor a las 7 de la mañana mientras que dormian sus hermanas. Sus dedicacion a servir a su pais, colecionar armas, y aprender a manejar una motocicleta nacio de su querido amigo ET1 Weinrich. Aunque Gerardini era un "hermanito" muy fastidioso y enfadoso, su familia lo amaba muchisimo y lo chiquiaron en cualquer oportunidad. Gera y sus hermanas pasaron muchas horas interminables divertidas en Disneylandia subiendose en sus atracciones favoritas como Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, y Indiana Jones Adventure. Nunca hubo un momento en el cual Gerardo caminara por el parque sin un churro en cada mano, una sonrisa de oreja a oreja, y un par de sus famosos Converse edition limitadas. Gerardo es y siempre sera nuestro gran orgullo y alegria. Su risa profunda he inconfundible, su espiritu es irremplacable, y permanecera en nuestros corazones por siempre 🤍

La velacion de Gera sera el Miercoles, April 24, 2024 de 10:30 AM a 9:30 PM en la Funeraria Del Angel Chula Vista, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910. La misa sera el Jueves, April 25, 2024 a las 10:30 AM en San Juan de la Cruz, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. El servicio de sepultura sera el Jueves, April 25, 2024 de 1:15 PM a 1:45 PM en el Cementerio National de Miramar, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122.

**Pedimos que, para el dia del sevicio, si tienen zapatos Converse, por favor los usen. Fueron los zapatos favoritos de mi hermano y nos gustaria conmemorarlo con esta solicitud especial.**

Tendremos cena despues de la sepultura, y como siempre Gera no pago nada.