Norberto Cabral Rojas was born on March 17, 1919, in a mining camp in Coahuila Mexico, to parents Norberto Rojas Sr. and Rafaela Cabral de Rojas. As a young man, he married Alejandra Bermundez in 1941 and made their home in San Jose de Llanetes, Zacatecas, Mexico. Around 1943, due to the scarcity of jobs, both he and Alejandra made a life decision. He took a train to Mexico City to sign up for the U.S. Bracero Program.
Through the Bracero Program, his lifelong career remained constant in agriculture as a farm laborer. A few years later he and his family immigrated to the U.S. and continued harvesting crops in the Imperial and San Joaquin Valleys, and in San Benito County. His migrant family would follow him depending on the harvest season. Always a hardworking man, with his wife Alejandra at his side, he devoted himself to his family, and instilled by example a good work ethic in his children. As a family unit, his children grew up knowing the difficulties of field and orchard labor; which made it important to Norberto that his children remain in school and get educated for their future. Always, he remained proud of his family and expressed it often.
Norberto never gave up on his faith. His faith held in the most difficult of times when he lost his eldest son Jesus (Vietnam) in 1965 and his beloved wife Alejandra in 1990. He would start each morning with a prayer and end each day with a night prayer. He would attend church on Saturday evenings, which he continued until he could no longer drive at the age of 100.
By nature, he had a positive outlook on life and held lifelong friendships. He was a regular at Cecilia's Restaurant, meeting buddies for morning coffee & a good chat. He was a great fan who loved boxing and baseball; his favorite team was the San Francisco Giants which he would watch while drinking a glass of wine or beer. He was also an avid reader of the (Spanish) "National Geographic" and loved geography. His fondest memories were those of his travels. His other loves were his four-legged fur buddies that kept him company.
Norberto, the patriarch of the family, cherished every bit of family occasions or casual visits, especially when surrounded by his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all of whom he loved dearly.
Norberto passed away peacefully into God's hands on November 2, 2023, at the age of 104.
Norberto is survived by his daughters Olga; Raphaela; Alice; Stella; Yolanda; Delia; MaryAnn; Emma; and his sons; Joe and Jesse "Kiko". He also leaves behind his 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family is humbled and gives heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth Icabalceta "Cruzita", his primary caregiver, who gave him such devoted and loving care, and to his wonderful nurses, Debra, Juanita, Felix and Mani from Ardent Hospice.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church 15437 W. Kearney Blvd, Kerman, CA 93630. Interment will follow at Golden Sunset Memorial Park 310 S. Goldenrod Ave, Kerman, CA 93630.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Norberto's honor to Mendota High School Girls Softball Team 1282 Belmont Ave, Mendota, CA 93640, Attn: Luis Gutierrez (Athletic Director).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmlapazfresno.com for the Rojas family.
