Gabriel Arroyo

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

www.millerchapel.com.