Gildard Cuen Bojorquez

A native of Flagstaff, AZ. Gil was born on June 8th, 1923 to Samuel Woolsey Bojorquez and Matilda Cuen Bojorquez. He was their youngest son and the last surviving child.

Gil was preceded in death by his spouse Helen Diaz Bojorquez also of Flagstaff, and brothers, John, Dan, Fred, Sam; sisters Ercy Macias, Madi Chavez, and Consuelo Ybarra.

Gil, along with many of the Bojorquez men was a butcher by trade, beginning his craft in his mid- teens while working at Babbitt’s Slaughtering Plant, and honing his skills under the tutelage of his father, Sam. He left Arizona at an early age, and worked in various meat packing plants in the L.A. area, where he spent many happy times with cousins, who resided in Los Angeles and San Jose. In the mid 1960’s Gil and Helen relocated to Santa Paula, CA in Ventura County where they opened G & H Meats, working side by side to service the surrounding towns in providing quality custom butchering. He was well known throughout the ranches and farms in the area, and to this day, his skills are legendary.

His days in Santa Paula were filled with hard work, assisting family members whenever he could and watching every boxing match that was televised. He enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, and visiting with family from Arizona, his home state. He was known for his wit, his big luxury cars, and his habit of giving humorous nicknames to both family members and acquaintances.

Gil’s passion was butchering and when he retired, he considered it his good fortune to mentor the current owner of Old Fashion Country Butcher, Kent Short, who became a very close personal friend. Kent’s slaughterhouse is in the same location that was G&H Meats and Gil’s picture of him skinning a trophy elk hangs in a prominent place. It was the success of this slaughterhouse that gave Gil a chance to stay engaged in the industry that was so good to him, and at which he excelled.

He is survived by his daughter Gilda Silver and son-in-law Noel of Corona, CA. Granddaughter Alexis Hunter (Jimmy), grandson Anthony Silver (Lara), great grandchildren Daisy Silver, Bradley Silver, Lauren Hunter, Payton Hunter, Ethan Stoddard, son David Garcia of Modesto, and cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A viewing is planned for Sunday, May 13th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary scheduled at 7:00 p.m. at Skillen-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E Santa Paula St. Santa Paula, CA 93060. Mass will be celebrated on Monday May 14th, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 427 N. Oak, Santa Paula, CA. 93060, with internment to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Gil’s memory to Boystown Omaha, Nebraska, a village that gives at risk boys and girls, an opportunity to overcome the adversities which have impacted their young lives.