Dionisio C. Gaona

Life Legacy Dionisio (Nicho) Gaona 68, passed away with his family by his side on August 6, 2016. He was born in a small room in the back of a store on November 9, 1947 in Leland Mississippi to Guadalupe and Ricarda Gaona and was the third born of 5 boys. Dionisio’s education was to the 4th grade, at which time he began to work alongside of his parents and two older brothers harvesting various crops in many states throughout the U.S. In 1965 the Gaona family came to settle in Ventura County where he then was employed at Ventura Coastal for several years before beginning his new career at Point Mugu as a painter. Dionisio painted everything and anything from Missiles, Satellites, Navy Ships and much more. The Point Mugu Paint Dept. eventually was closed and Dionisio continued to work for the Navy as a circuit board technician where he was responsible of security sensitive projects. Dionisio retired in 1999 and concentrated on being a grandpa. He was a very proud grandpa and great-grandpa and really loved his grandkids and great-grandkids very much. Dionisio would always attend the grandkid’s school plays, award ceremonies and all their sporting events. When anyone of his grandkids turned 18, he would take them to Chumash Casino for their birthday, “not sure if that was for them or really for him”. Dad loved to go to the casinos, when it was time to leave the casino, he would go and hide just to stay there a little longer. In Dionisio’s younger years, he played baseball and was a first baseman. He played on a local team called the Diablo’s. They would play against other cities and they would bet that the looser had to pay for the booze, food and Mariachi; they turned a ballgame into a huge party. Dioniso also played softball on various teams, the one he enjoyed most was a family team called La Familia. The team name says it all about dad; he truly loved his family, his many friends that he was blessed to have, and his Los Angeles Dodgers. There is so much more we can say about dad, but all that knew him, know what kind of man he was. Dionisio is survived by his loving wife Francisca Gaona; his children; Dionisio Gaona Jr. (Cindy), Irene Mendoza (Martin), Tina Zapata (Joe) and Johnny Gaona; his brothers: Juan Gaona (Herminia), Alejandro Gaona (Maria) and Santana Gaona; grandkids: Chris, Jonathon & Stephen Gaona, Joshua, Dion, Edward & Martin Jr Mendoza, Melissa, Melodie & Maylani Mendoza, Lauren and Noah Zapata, Great-Grandkids; Jazlyn, AJ, Anessa, Matthew, Danielle, Damian, Jayden and Miyah, and many nephews, nieces and extended family. Dionisio was preceded in death by his parents: Guadalupe and Ricarda Gaona. Brother; Jose Gaona, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Rest In Peace Dad!