Pete S. Nava; Longtime Resident, Ex-Laborer
Pete Soto Nava, a retired laborer, died Monday at a Santa Paula nursing home. He was 93.
Nava was born June 29, 1907, in San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato, Mexico. He moved to Ventura County when he was about 13 and had lived here since.
For 35 years, Nava worked as a laborer and was a member of Laborer’s Local Union No. 585.
He also was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and La Casa Del Mexicano, both in Santa Paula.
Ranching, taking care of his avocado trees and watching boxing and the Dodgers were among his favorite things to do, his family said.
Nava is survived by sons Henry and Jack, both of Ventura; a daughter, Margaret Garcia of Ojai; sisters Francisca Herrera and Patricia Sanchez, both of Mexico; brothers George of San Jose, Marcelino of Santa Paula and Antonio of Santa Paula; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and six great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Rafaela, in 1993 and a son, Jess, in 1999.
A funeral Mass is scheduled at 11 a.m. today at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with burial following at Santa Paula Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Pierce Bros. Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.
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