Bernard Ramirez

Bernard “Bernie” Ramirez was born on August 21, 1949 in Pueblo, Colorado. He was adopted by his paternal grandparents, Antonio and Luz Ramirez. Around the age of 3, they moved to California and in 1954/55, they settled in East Los Angeles. During high school, Bernie played keyboard with Thee Flurtations. Bernie graduated from Montebello High School in 1968. Bernie was drafted and joined the US Marine Corps in January 1969. He served in Vietnam during the latter half of 1969 as an engineer. He was Active Duty in the US Marine Corps until he switched to the Reserves in 1971.

In the fall of 1973, Bernie met Florentina “Flora” Olivar at East Los Angeles College in chemistry class. They eloped in Las Vegas on April 9, 1974 since Flora’s mother threatened to send her back to the Philippines and on June 29, 1974, they married at Immaculate Conception Catholic church in Los Angeles.

In February of 1975, their only child, Anna Luz, was born in southern California. Also in 1975, Bernie changed from US Marine Corps Reserve service to Active Duty. In 1976, Bernie was stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Base and in 1977, he was transferred to recruiting duty in Ogden, Utah. They lived in Roy, Utah until Bernie left the US Marine Corps and joined the US Coast Guard in 1980.

From 1980 through 1982, Bernie was stationed on the Coast Guard cutter Rush in Alameda and then stationed at Yerba Buena Island from 1982 until 1983. They lived on Treasure Island in the middle of San Francisco Bay during this time.

In 1983, Bernie was transferred to the Coast Guard cutter Resolute stationed in Astoria, Oregon and they lived in Seaside, Oregon from 1983 to 1987. In 1987, Bernie was transferred to recruiting duty in Sacramento, California and stayed there until he was promoted from Chief (enlisted rank E-7) to Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-1) in 1991. During their time in Sacramento, they rented a house and lived at McClellan Air Force Base housing in North Highlands.

In 1991, Bernie was transferred to the Marine Safety Office (MSO) in Los Angeles/Long Beach, but they rented and then purchased a house in Rosamond, which was 2.5 hours away. In 1995, Bernie was transferred to the MSO in San Diego and ended his 30 year military career in 2000 at the rank of CWO-4. In 1995, Bernie and Flora purchased their current home in San Marcos and Bernie began suffering from his many medical ailments. In 2000, their daughter Anna, married Carlos Baldenegro and they welcomed having a son-in-law.

After being medically retired from the Coast Guard in 2000, Bernie took a year to complete his Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from National University. He then worked as a Ride Maintenance Manager for 5 weeks at Disneyland (it was extra tough working grave yard shift and commuting to Anaheim). Bernie then worked as a Maintenance Supervisor at the Port of San Diego from 2002 to 2007. In 2007, Bernie took his final working position as the Facilities Maintenance Manager for the City of San Marcos. He worked there until he retired in 2010 on disability.

Bernie and Flora spent his retirement traveling on many cruises around the world and trips to Hawaii and making improvements to their home. They have also enjoyed watching their 3 grandchildren grow up (Lina was born in 2004, Nico in 2007 and Portia in 2011).