Manuel Perez Sr.

WATSONVILLE — Manuel Perez Sr. died on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 in Monterey. He was 84. 

Mr. Perez was born Dec. 21, 1927 in San Bernardino. He moved to Watsonville in 1936. He graduated from Watsonville High School and attended Hartnell College.  Mr. Perez enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and U.S. Navy, serving from 1945 until 1954.  His service included the CA Coast Patrol 25th Regiment of Watsonville, serving aboard the USS Nicholas DDE-559, Operation Castle testing hydrogen bombs in the Bikini Islands. He was the recipient of the WWII Victory Medal. 

Following his discharge from the military he returned home, starting a 30-year career at Watsonville Canning.  On May 28, 1959 he married Mary Bravo in Salinas. They had three children - Monica Morrison (now deceased), Manuel Perez Jr. of Stockton and Marylou Nakatani of Watsonville, five grandsons and two granddaughters. 

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-9 p.m. with a recitation of the Holy Rosary commencing at 6 p.m. at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel, 609 Main St., Watsonville, 724-4751. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church with Graveside interment to follow, with Military Honors, Pajaro Valley Memorial Park, 127 Hecker Pass Rd., Watsonville. The family suggests memorial contributions to the charity of choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Patrick and Debbie Carroll, Ave Maria Memorial Chapel.

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