now resting in peace. Gabe was born on December 16th, 1938 in Woodlake, California, where
he continued to live out the rest of his life. He attended Woodlake High School and was an avid
participant in FFA and WHS Football. He gained a plethora of awards while raising steers
throughout his high school career. As a defensive lineman for the football team, he helped lead
his team to a Valley Championship. At the end of his high school career he married his high
school sweetheart, Mary Mota, and made Woodlake their permanent home. His first job was
working for a farm labor company in Lemon Cove. He started beekeeping as a hobby and it
soon turned into a passion. In 1971, Arroyo Apiaries was formed, and he continued to grow his
business over the years until he sold the business in 2005 to his son in law. Gabe always said
that his wife was his main motivator to pursue his passion for bees. After retirement, he
remained as a non-paid, freelance consultant for beekeepers. He could be found at the
Woodlake Donut shop every morning enjoying a cup of coffee with friends, before he went to
tend to his orchards. Gabe was preceded in death by his parents Cora and Jesse Arroyo,
brother Ernie Arroyo, sister Julia Arroyo-Mesa, sister Christine Arroyo-Tayaba, brother Joe
Arroyo, and sister Sally Arroyo Fernandez. He is survived by his wife Mary, their 3 daughters,
Lydia (Vela), Vicky (Keller), and Lisa (Galicia), his four grandchildren, Austin, Kaela, Quinn,
Bridget, brothers Augustine Abasta, Art Arroyo, Gilbert Arroyo, and many cousins, nieces, and
nephews. His services will be on Saturday February 29th, 2020 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic
Church in Woodlake at 9:30 am. Tributes and condolences may be made at
PALLBEARERS
Larry Arroyo
Hector Mota
Steven Fernandez
Philip Mesa
Charles Mesa
Austin Keller
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