Obituary for Nemesio Espinoza
Nemesio M. Espinoza “Speedy”
Obituary
Nemesio M. Espinoza “Speedy” of Watsonville, 92 years old, died peacefully on July 3 rd , in San Diego, CA.
Nemesio was born on December 19, 1929, to parents Pamfila and Juan Espinoza in San Bernadino, CA.
Although US Citizens, Nemesio and his family were deported during the height of the depression and
Mexican Repatriation. He was raised in Mexicali and migrated to harvest crops between Watsonville
and the Imperial Valley where he met his wife, Pola Patino. In 1952 Nemesio landed a year-round job at
West Coast Farms, owned by Resetar Bros., a major CA lettuce and celery producer. He no longer had to
migrate or follow the seasonal crops, and was able to settle in Watsonville, CA permanently where he
purchased a home and lived for nearly 70 years. He made lifelong friends and continued to work for
West Coast Farms until their closure in 1977. Nicknamed by a foreman of the company for being one of
the fastest lettuce packers in the county, "Speedy” was quickly promoted to Lead Foreman at the young
age of 23. In 2019, Nemesio relocated to San Diego to live with his daughters, Paz and Diana.
Nemesio enjoyed playing cards and always seemed to win big! He owned multiple businesses in
Watsonville: a catering truck service, a card room and a Mexican restaurant, bar and hotel in Pajaro. He
loved visiting casinos, fishing, gardening and watching professional boxing every Saturday night. He was
a passionate guitar player and singer who the family could always count on to play music for them at
any family gathering.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pola Ojeda who passed away on September 7, 2016; his
brothers Lorenzo, Ramon, Julio and Carlos and sisters, Isabel and Celia. He is survived by his one son,
John Espinoza (Lupe), and seven daughters: Paz (Patrick), Pola (Robert) Anna, Eva (David), Yolonda, Mary
Helen, (David), Diana. He also leaves behind his three sisters: Lilia, Rosa & Enriqueta, and five brothers:
Luis, Juan, Beto, Gustavo, Esteban, 24 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 3 great-great
grandchildren.
Viewing will be held at 9:00AM on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at East County Mortuary, 374 N. Magnolia
Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020. A celebration of life will be held on July 16 th from 10:00AM – 12:00PM at
the Mortuary. A graveside burial at Singing Hills Memorial Park, 2800 Dehesa Road, El Cajon, CA 92019
will commence at 1:00PM.
Obituary
Nemesio M. Espinoza “Speedy” of Watsonville, 92 years old, died peacefully on July 3 rd , in San Diego, CA.
Nemesio was born on December 19, 1929, to parents Pamfila and Juan Espinoza in San Bernadino, CA.
Although US Citizens, Nemesio and his family were deported during the height of the depression and
Mexican Repatriation. He was raised in Mexicali and migrated to harvest crops between Watsonville
and the Imperial Valley where he met his wife, Pola Patino. In 1952 Nemesio landed a year-round job at
West Coast Farms, owned by Resetar Bros., a major CA lettuce and celery producer. He no longer had to
migrate or follow the seasonal crops, and was able to settle in Watsonville, CA permanently where he
purchased a home and lived for nearly 70 years. He made lifelong friends and continued to work for
West Coast Farms until their closure in 1977. Nicknamed by a foreman of the company for being one of
the fastest lettuce packers in the county, "Speedy” was quickly promoted to Lead Foreman at the young
age of 23. In 2019, Nemesio relocated to San Diego to live with his daughters, Paz and Diana.
Nemesio enjoyed playing cards and always seemed to win big! He owned multiple businesses in
Watsonville: a catering truck service, a card room and a Mexican restaurant, bar and hotel in Pajaro. He
loved visiting casinos, fishing, gardening and watching professional boxing every Saturday night. He was
a passionate guitar player and singer who the family could always count on to play music for them at
any family gathering.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pola Ojeda who passed away on September 7, 2016; his
brothers Lorenzo, Ramon, Julio and Carlos and sisters, Isabel and Celia. He is survived by his one son,
John Espinoza (Lupe), and seven daughters: Paz (Patrick), Pola (Robert) Anna, Eva (David), Yolonda, Mary
Helen, (David), Diana. He also leaves behind his three sisters: Lilia, Rosa & Enriqueta, and five brothers:
Luis, Juan, Beto, Gustavo, Esteban, 24 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 3 great-great
grandchildren.
Viewing will be held at 9:00AM on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at East County Mortuary, 374 N. Magnolia
Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020. A celebration of life will be held on July 16 th from 10:00AM – 12:00PM at
the Mortuary. A graveside burial at Singing Hills Memorial Park, 2800 Dehesa Road, El Cajon, CA 92019
will commence at 1:00PM.