Richard Michael Cabrera

Richard passed unexpectedly and peacefully at age 83 surrounded by loved ones at his family home in Palo Alto. His parents John and Lucy, originally from Mexico, met in San Francisco where Richard was born and they raised their family in Palo Alto. As parents, they taught their children, “primero Dios,” that is, God first.

Richard attended St. Thomas Aquinas grammar school in Palo Alto, Serra High School in San Mateo, and got his bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Mary’s College in Moraga. From his sophomore to senior years at St. Mary’s, he was part of a singing group called “The Strangers” who recorded hits, appeared on television dance parties, toured the country, and opened concerts for major singers Connie Francis, B.B. King, and The Diamonds.

Richard served in the Peace Corps as an English teacher in the Dominican Republic from 1962 to 1964 where he met his future wife, Edda Tavarez. They settled in Palo Alto and had two sons, Richard Jr. and John Edward. Edda had a delightful voice, wrote music, and played the guitar and we enjoyed hearing them sing together. The family often traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit relatives and friends. They were happily married for 32 years until her untimely death in 1998.

Over the years, Richard worked in many interesting positions including Director of Foster Parents Plan for the country of Ecuador, Senior Administrator at UC Berkeley, and Code Compliance Officer for the City of Palo Alto. He also loved serving others through volunteer work, for example, making home visits for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in East Palo Alto (winning the Frederic Ozanam Award), being a founding member of the Palo Alto Farmers Market, leading children’s tours at Hidden Villa Farm in Los Altos, and spending time with those in need at the Palo Alto homeless center.

Richard was known for his beautiful smile, kind and uplifting spirit, deep spirituality, and sense of fun and adventure. He constantly prayed for others and was a long-time member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Before he was married, he hitch-hiked across the United States. He loved nature be it climbing Mission Peak, walking at the wetlands, or enjoying the flowers and butterflies in his peaceful backyard sanctuary. For many years on his birthday, he hiked on his own leaving at 4:00 a.m. from Palo Alto over the mountains to Half Moon Bay. He also biked to Yosemite and Santa Cruz on his three-speed bike. He was a legend in his time.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, brother Johnny, wife Edda, and son Richard, Jr. He is survived by his son John Edward and sister L. Susan Cabrera.

Family and friends are welcome to attend his memorial and burial services and a reception on Friday, July 1, 2022 at Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park in San Jose, California. The memorial service will also be livestreamed by invitation and recorded. Service details are on the Oak Hill website obituary section.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1425 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, CA 94303.

Here are some of Richard’s favorite sayings:

God writes the script (his own saying).

Don’t let what you can’t do get in the way of what you can do.

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

My favorite adventure is life.

The size of a man’s world is the size of his heart.

Life is beautiful.

_____________________________________________________________________

My Brother, That’s Richard

Poem by L. Susan Cabrera

April 28, 2004

For Richard’s Birthday May 12, 2004

My brother, that’s Richard, is such a great guy.

Since I was a young kid on him I’d rely.

One day we’d be playing, the next day we’d bike,

And sometimes we’d pack lunch and go for a hike.

If I’d seek a good sport, it’s he I would find

To always be willing and able and kind.

This brother’s not what you’d call “run of the mill.”

Though he is mature, he’s not “over the hill.”

And speaking of hillsides, you can’t keep him still.

His exercise program most people would kill!

If you blink an eye he just might disappear

And walk twenty miles to the ocean “so near.”

Or jump on his three-speed and bike up the “hill”

‘Cross Santa Cruz mountains with never a spill.

You may find him strolling to Stanford’s “big dish”

Or off to a grotto to make a small wish.

Some days he’ll be hopping a bus and a train

To quaint Capitola where Princess doth reign.

Or he may be home just as still as a mouse

Attending a “silent retreat” in his house!

St. Vincent de Paul is his Monday routine.

To needs of the poorest my brother is keen.

That’s why you might find him relaxed in a chat

With homeless companions who need this or that.

On Thursdays he’s mooing and quacking the sounds

Of grand Hidden Villa with kids on the grounds.

And at Farmers Market on Saturday morn

He helps with the set-up and picks up the corn.

So, like Johnny Appleseed or Clementine,

This guy, Rich Cabrera’s, a legend in time.

Though nine years my senior, I have to admit

He runs circles ‘round me, his spirit won’t quit.

His energy boundless we envy, of course,

But if you should tell him, he’ll feel no remorse.

His God-given life force he got from his mom

And we, merely mortals, can only look on.

So this “man of leisure” (a nickname I gave)

Is one who creates many moments to save.

And to his whole fam’ly now living and dead

He’s had us inspired with the path he has led.

To mother and father he was a great son,

To wife and to children, their love he has won.

To friends and to colleagues he brightens their day

And gives them a lift as they go on their way.

To me, as his sister, I carry a smile

To know that his friendship’s been mine all the while.

I’m thankful to God for this brother so dear

And know that to heaven he’ll always be near.

A visitation for Richard will be held Friday, July 1, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. A memorial service will occur Friday, July 1, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. A committal service will occur Friday, July 1, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. Reception to follow immediately.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oakhillfuneral.com for the Cabrera family.