Clifford A. Esquibel

Clifford A. "Cliff" Esquibel - On May 15, 2011, we lost Cliff, husband, father and grandfather to Cancer in Petaluma, California. Cliff put up a valiant fight and never let it stop him from enjoying and living life to the fullest. He was born on May 24, 1937 to Anaclita and Clifford Esquibel in Alamosa, Colorado. He was 73. Cliff was a real go-getter in life, starting work at the age of 13, first as a paper boy and then at a grocery store. His favorite job as a youth was at a toy store where he developed his love of building model airplanes and cars. He graduated High School in 1955 and joined the Air Force where he served in Okinawa and was trained in electronics and communications. He had fond memories of the Air Force and the times spent with his service buddies. He leaves behind his sister Yolanda, wife Gale, sons Colin and Patrick, daughter Catherine and his grandchildren Hannah, Gabriel, Jordan, Rileigh and Aiden. Say not in grief that he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was. Friends and family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass, Monday, May 23, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 125 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy., Petaluma. A Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 5:30 PM at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Purple Pig Project, c/o Petaluma Elks Lodge, 2105 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94954. Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Petaluma. Cliff returned to the States in 1960 to attend college in Colorado. Graduating in 1964 he then started his lifetime career at AT&T. His career moved him and his wife Loretta to Northern California where he worked in San Francisco and they settled in the small town of Petaluma. Cliff and Loretta were blessed with 3 children; Colin, Patrick and Catherine. Sadly they grew apart and divorced. Cliff later met Gale in 1994 and they married in 1996. They honeymooned in Mazatlan, Mexico which later became their favorite spot to vacation.