Cayetano "Aggie" Aguilera, 84, peacefully passed away in his sleep at his home in Gilroy, CA on September 9, 2021. His battle with Alzheimer's dementia in recent years showed his courage for facing life with a smile. Despite the memory loss and loss of physical mobility, his love for his family and laughter remained intact.

He was born on July 30, 1937 in Tempe, AZ to Maria Luisa and Cayetano Aguilera, Sr. but soon ended up in Gilroy. His teenage years seemed to have no real direction and seemed to be going down a wrong path, until the court judge gave him a choice: enlist and serve in the armed forces or serve jail time. In 1955, a 17-year-old Cayetano handed his mother the parental consent for enlisting into the US Air Force written in English knowing she could not read or understand it and told her it was a form for school. Eventually she forgave him, and Cayetano went on to become a jet fighter mechanic for the US Air Force. Cayetano always said that enlisting was the best thing he could have done because of how it shaped him into the man he became.

After his time served in the USAF ended, by chance, Cayetano reconnected with the woman who would become his love and life partner, Mary Ellen Aguilera. They wed after three dates by eloping in Las Vegas. Cayetano always teased that he was passed out in the backseat while she drove him to the chapel. Their love brought about three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Cayetano was also adored as a tio, nino, brother, cousin, father-in-law, and friend to many.

Cayetano was a hard-working, trusted and dependable employee during his almost 20 years as an assembly line worker and fork lift driver at Ford Motor Company prior to the Milpitas plant shut down in 1983 and as a maintenance worker where he retired in 2000 after 17 years of service for Gilroy Unified at Gilroy High School. Cayetano was not only a loyal employee, but loyal friend and made many along his career journey who remained in contact with him over the years.

Cayetano was a generous soul who loved to share his mechanical and crafty knowledge with others, and wouldn't hesitate to tune-up, repair, build or lend a helping hand for family and friends alike. It earned him a reputation in the community of a trust-worthy, honest repairman and Class-A jack-of-all-trades.

Cayetano always had been a hard worker, but he loved to laugh even harder and make those around him laugh. Anyone who knew Cayetano, would always have a funny story or many if he was involved. Cayetano may have also been known to tell an occasional white lie or two and even cheat at card games. Cayetano's larger-than-life personality will be missed by those he left behind, but the shit of it is, we will meet him again someday.

Memorial services will be held at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 where we welcome you sharing any stories of Cayetano that you may have. Burial services will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 17, 2021.