Gregorio Lorenzo De Alba
Gregorio Lorenzo De Alba was a man of many words. While they were mostly profanities, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he could speak his own so proudly.
Regardless if you hated it or you loved it, that was Greg.
Whether or not his stubborn self could ever admit it, he DID have a soft spot in his heart. He loved his grandchildren dearly and spoiled them whenever given the chance.
On early mornings, while driving them to school, he’d blare Guns n’Roses, hoping that they’d acquire his taste in music even if it meant that their ears would bleed from the volume. And then after school, he’d pamper them with their favorite snacks and Redbox movies.
Even so, he refused thank you’s from any of them . As he would famously say, “Don’t thank me, thank the Lord.”
He had a gift for sending them to school with smiles as wide as the mouth of his wallet. Which, as observed by many, only opened it for them and those who he felt close to.
His grandchildren, who he lovingly nicknamed the “stinkers”, and “knuckleheads”, were arguably the luckiest in the world to have the affection of a notoriously stern man.
Born August 10th, 1954, Gregorio spent the majority of his days in the Goodland, tossing the pigskin in high school and causing ruckus wherever he pleased. After proving to be an incredible athlete, he left his old stomping grounds and instead moved on to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he was a promising member of the Mustang football team.
After college, he began a life of many trades to support his growing family, experiencing more out of life than the average Joe. Ranging from a stint in the local abalone industry, which took him briefly to South Korea, to a relentless security guard with authority and dedication wherever he was assigned, he proved to be much more than his humble appearance implied. Staying true to his athletic roots, he spent time coaching local football and baseball teams before retiring as just “Pop”.
Finally, after years and years of looking death in the eyes, convincing himself that “God loved idiots”, and fighting lengthy battles with the nurses who annoyed him and the ailments that plagued him, he eventually succumbed to its inevitability on February 5th, 2021 at the Serenity house.
He is survived by his sisters Tish and Beckie and his four children John, Jill, Jennifer and Jackie. He will especially be missed by his grandchildren Ernesto, Isaiah, Junior, Nevaeh Angel, Lenaiya Rain, Makaio John, Jessica, Melissa, and Isabel.
Many others will remember him as their coach, colleague, teammate, friend and in the most affectionate way possible, their local crazy old man.
Adhering to his wishes, the unforgettable Gregorio De Alba was cremated. Services will be held on ZOOM at 1:00 on March 6th, 2021. All are welcome. Please contact the family for further information.
Obituary written by Granddaughter Nevaeh Angel De Alba