Obituary of Orlando Chavez

Domingo Celedon Orlando Chavez

August 5, 1945 – October 31, 2022

Aptos, California

Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Mass Christian burial will be celebrated in Aptos for Domingo Orlando Chavez who passed away at age 77 on October 31, 2022 in Gilroy, CA. Born on August 5, 1945 to Gregorio and Senaida Chavez in McNary, Arizona where he grew up in faith and love as the second-youngest of ten children. After serving in the US Air Force as an airframe technician, Orlando met and married his wife of 50 years, Margaret Vasquez, in San Jose, CA in 1972. They moved from San Jose to Aptos in 1981 and were active at Resurrection Catholic Church where Orlando served as a Eucharistic Minister, Acolyte and Knight of Columbus. Following a 30 year career with PG&E as a Land Agent in San Jose, Santa Cruz and Salinas, Orlando and Margaret retired to Show Low, Arizona where they continued to actively serve their community at St. Rita’s Church. They returned to California to be closer to their three children, Felicita, Mario and Jaime and lived with their youngest son, Jaime and his family in Gilroy, CA, who devotedly and lovingly cared for him until his passing.

Orlando’s humor, love and passionate devotion to faith and family will always be cherished and remembered by those who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret Vasquez; his three children, Felicita Rasul, Mario Chavez and Jaime Chavez; 13 grandchildren, Joseph Ruiz, Elizabeth Ruiz, Margaret Ruiz, Matthew Ruiz, Aaliyah Rasul, Jacob Rasul, Antoinette Nunez, Ricky Chavez, Dustin Baldwin, Layla Chavez, Gabriel Chavez, Anelise Chavez, and Rudy Chavez; 3 great-grandchildren, Athena Ruiz, Grayson Ruiz and Evie Ruiz; and his siblings, Mary Ulibarri, Alfredo Chavez and Audrelia Chavez. Orlando was preceded in death by his parents Gregorio and Senaida Chavez; and siblings Ulban Chavez, Clifford Chavez, Juanita Perea, Ignacia Maestas, Rachel Vallejos and Mayme Aragon.  

Services will take place at Resurrection Catholic Church (7600 Soquel Drive) in Aptos. 

On Monday, November 7, friends may pay their respects at a viewing from 12 noon until 7 p.m. A vigil and recitation of the rosary will begin at 7 p.m.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday November 9, 2022, at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow with military honors at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery located on the church grounds. Friends and family are invited to share stories, laughter and love with the family in the Markey Hall following services on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, please tell someone that you love them.