Mel Bettencourt passed away peacefully on March 1, 2019 at the age of 94.

He was survived by his 4 children Debbie Palla, Pat Davis, Ricky Bettencourt, and Carla Leas and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mel was born December 18th 1924 in Watsonville and moved to Gilroy when he was a young boy.

Mel served in the Navy during World War II where we was stationed on a carrier in the South Pacific sea.

He flew on planes from the carrier and delivered mail and goods to his fellow servicemen on different islands.

It sometimes was a dangerous mission with bullets flying as they flew.

His last job was for about 25 years as the maintenance supervisor at Gavilan College.

When he retired, they hired 2 people to take his place.

Mel had two wonderful marriages, 47 years together with Betty and 15 years together with Serena.

He loved his family very much and he took Serena's family into his heart and loved them too.

Mel was a good man. As good as they get. He served our country honorably.

He was a valued and hard worker in his working years.

Mel you will be missed, never forgotten and forever loved.