Epitacio "Pete" L. Moreno

Our beloved father entered into eternal rest surrounded by his family on August 4th, 2015. Pete was born in Irapuato, Mexico and later moved with his family to St. Joseph, Missouri. He returned to Mexico in his youth and served in the Mexican Armed Forces. He lived in the state of Tamaulipas where he met his wife Gloria who became his life’s companion of 68 years. Together they raised eight children. He worked in farming and joined with groups of farmworkers in struggles to improve living and working conditions. A strong advocate for education, Pete played a leading role in building a school for children in a rural area of Mexico. He later joined the Bracero Program and lived in Texas working in the farming and cattle industries. Pete moved to California and settled in Union City where he worked in agriculture and construction. In 1967 he became a construction laborer and joined the Construction and General Laborers, Local 304. He used his organizing skills to become a Field Agent, and later was elected Recording Secretary, Business Manager, and member of the Northern California District Council of Laborers. Under Pete’s leadership, Local 304 flourished and became a growing, financially stable, and a highly respected union. Pete also joined efforts with the United Farm Workers (UFW) in support of local nursery workers’ rights to unionize. Pete was a self-made man and a life-long learner who self-taught and explored a variety of subjects including drawing, musical instruments, and computer technology. He was a deeply compassionate man, and an ardent supporter of projects promoting human and voting rights throughout the world. He was an avid reader who followed local and world news, and enjoyed discussing politics and watching sports, especially the Oakland A’s. A playful man by nature, with a good sense of humor, Pete enjoyed playful verbal exchanges and discussing current events with his children and grandchildren. Pete was, above all, a family man, who thoroughly relished spending time with his children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Survived by his wife of 68 years Gloria Moreno; children: Silvia Moreno, Beatriz Moreno, Gloria Flores and her husband Andrew, Sonia Moreno-De Leon and her husband Bernie, Rene Moreno and his wife Teresa, Jose Moreno and his wife Sonia Peña, and Carlos Moreno; grandchildren: Sofia, Carlos, Victor, Diana, Sergio, Jesus, David, Monica, Cassandra, Arturo, Andrea, Angelica, Marisol, and Analysia; and great grandson Angelino. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his son David Moreno. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 9th, from 1-5pm with a Vigil at 4pm at Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 10th, 10am at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 32223 Cabello St., Union City, CA 94587. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, CA.

Epitacio "Pete" L. Moreno

May 19, 1915 - August 4, 2015