Gilbert Villegas Delatore

Our beloved father and grandfather, Gilbert V. Delatore, 93 passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in South Jordan, Utah surrounded by his loving family, due to complications of old age. Gilbert was born on October 18, 1928 in San Pedro, CA to Rosendo and Sabina Delatorre but was raised in Tijuana, Mexico. He married Maria Dolorita Vigil May 29, 1956 in Salt Lake City, Utah and later divorced but remained close throughout their lives.

Survived by his children: Gilbert (Jacque) Delatore Jr., Rocky Delatore, Suzan (Manny) Pino, Ronnie Delatore, Holly (Kirk) Burnett, and Rosita Torres, his brother Ruben (Ofelia) Delatorre, seventeen grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his ex-wife, Maria Vigil, his mother and father, sisters: Antonia Medina, Maria Olvera, Guadalupe Perez, and Lolita Delatorre. Brothers: Angel Delatorre, and Rosendo Delatorre.

He served in the Army during the Korean War, Sergeant 1st Class 25th Infantry Division, and he took much pride serving our country. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Gilbert used his entrepreneurial mind to purchase his first nightclub called the Moonlight, in Bingham, Utah while working full time at Kennecott Copper mine operating heavy equipment shovel in the mine pit. As his family started to grow he sold the business and purchased a carwash/billiards establishment in Magna, Utah and later converted the business to a nightclub called the Blue Moon Cantina. He was well known and admired by many customers who he considered lifelong friends. He retired from Kennecott after 38 years, but continued to run his business. At the age of 79, Gilbert decided to sell the business and retire, but he never fully retired because he was always thinking about what business he wanted to start next.

Our dad was a great man who took on the responsibility of raising five kids on his own, as well as welcoming our little sister Rosita with kindness and love. He never wavered in that love of family, and responsibility to the end of his life. We will be forever grateful and blessed to have such a father. He loved all his grandchildren and great grandkids and would always make sure they received a gift from him at Christmas time. Even though he lived in Utah most of his life he never forgot his family in California and Tijuana, Mexico and would always make time to visit them twice a year. There he took turns staying with his parents, sisters, and brothers. In addition to always thinking about the next business, he had a passion for beautiful Cadillacs, boxing, and billiards. One of his favorite holidays was the Fourth of July and the Magna Parade. His house was on the parade route, and his whole family would get together and have a huge water fight with parade participants sometimes joining in. Even when he got a little wet he never complained. He also had a huge heart for animals and his dog “Pepito” his partner in crime, will miss him dearly.

Dad,

Thank you for all your hard work to provide for us, because we know it wasn’t easy. Our hearts are broken that you had to leave us. But your memory and love will always be with us.

We love you Dad!

Gilbert Jr., Rocky, Suzan, Ronnie, Holly, and Rosita.

We would like to thank Alyssa Bartlett with CNS Home Health Care who took good care of our father the last few years. We also appreciate the kindness, care, and help that the VA Hospital/Hospice provided for our dad.

A special thanks to our sister Suzan for taking such good care of our father in his last days. We love you Suzanita. You are the beautiful young girl that took care of him and you’re definitely not a murderer :) (A funny story we may tell later at his service…)

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 17, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes, 2840 S. 9000 W. Magna, Utah.

Family greeting from 9:30 -10:00, Eulogy/speakers from 10:00 - 10:30, Rosary from 10:30 -11:00, Mass from 11:00 - 12:00. Interment will follow services at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd. at 1:30.

A light lunch will be served from 3:00-4:30 at Our Lady of Lourdes.

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