Gilberto T. Zapata
June 25, 1937 - October 5, 2007
SALEM - Gilberto ‘Gil’ Zapata, of Salem, passed away on October 5, 2007, surrounded by family members, at the age of 70. Born to Luciano and Regina Zapata in Robstown Texas, he married Dolores Salas on August 27, 1954; they shared 53 wonderful years together. Gil and Dolores moved to Oregon in 1963, where they raised six children. Gil worked for Green Villa Farms for several years, holding various positions. In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Gil and Dolores co-owned and managed a restaurant in Independence. Before retiring, Gil performed custodial work at Chemeketa Community College. Some of Gil’s hobbies included hat and t-shirt silk screening, and re-upholstering furniture in his workshop for family and friends. Gil enjoyed camping, playing pool, family gatherings, and taking his wife dancing with best friends, Richard and Jackie. Gil was also a longtime member of the Keizer Elks and the Molalla Moose Lodge. Surviving and left to honor his life is wife, Dolores; sister, Julia Zavala of Salem; children, Sobeida and Dave Green of Florida, Dalia and Wenceslao Fernandez, Robert and Florencia Zapata, Hubert Zapata, and Albert Zapata, all of Salem, and Gilbert Jr. and Jeannie Zapata of Oregon City; 13 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
You will never be far from us and you will live on through each one of us as family and friend. You have touched and shaped all our lives with guidance, encouragement, as protector, and with love. We will miss you dearly. We love you.
A rosary will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 9 at Restlawn Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 10 at Restlawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gil’s name to Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 3rd St. NW, Salem OR 97304.