Rickey Lee Marrazzo

Rickey Lee Marrazzo, 73, of Gilroy, California, passed away peacefully with his wife and children by his side on June 28, 2026.

Rick was born and raised in Gilroy, California, son of Frank and Esther Marrazzo. Rick started his career as a Teamster at Gilroy Lumber before moving on to Granite Rock. After his Teamster retirement he worked maintenance for the Eagle Ridge banquet facility.

Rick is survived by his wife of 34 years, Char; their children Jaime and his fiancée Valerie, Krista and her husband Louie Cortez, Matthew and his wife Lynnea, and Monica and her husband Ricky Alvarado; brother Dave and his wife Dorothy Marrazzo and sister Shirley and her husband Norm Currie.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, July 10, 2026 at the Gilroy Presbyterian Church.

Rick was the person you could always count on. His reliability wasn't just one of his qualities—it was the way he lived his life and the greatest gift he gave to everyone who knew him. He showed his love through his actions—always prepared, always willing to help, and always finding a way to fix whatever life put in front of him. Whether you needed advice, a helping hand, a repaired gadget, a ride, or simply someone to be there, he never hesitated. He was the steady foundation of our family, and his kindness, generosity, and unwavering reliability made everyone around him feel safe, supported, and deeply loved. He will always be remembered as...

• A master improviser who could make almost anything work with creativity, ingenuity, and determination.
• The ultimate MacGyver—able to fix, build, or invent just about anything with whatever he had on hand.
• The king of working smarter, not harder.
• A man who never met a list he couldn't make—organized, prepared, and always thinking ahead.
• The one who lovingly took care of even the hardest jobs, including giving our beloved pets a dignified final resting place.
• The family's "car fairy," remedying everything from gas, oil, smog checks, dead batteries, and registrations to roadside rescues. If you were stranded, he was always the first person you called.
• The keeper of the magic desk—where we learned that nothing was ever truly broken. You simply placed it on the desk, gave it a day or two, and somehow it always came back as good as new.
• A classic rock connoisseur whose playlists became the soundtrack to long drives, cruises with the windows down on a sunny day, backyard BBQs, garage projects, and countless family memories.
• A proud Coors Light enthusiast.
• A devoted bread maker. Char can recall many work zoom meetings when a small plate of steaming, fresh bread and melted butter would quietly enter the frame. Everyone on the call would stop what they were doing and ask how they could get their hands on some of his famous "floating bread."
• A passionate photographer who understood that life's best moments were worth preserving.
• A master of BBQ ribs, splinter removal, and cultivating a thriving garden known for its abundant fava beans and homemade pesto.
• A lover of cold, rainy days, cozy wood fires, watching traffic go by, roaring bonfires, gathering with friends who felt more like family, and sweet pea flowers—which he affectionately called my sister and I.
• A lifelong model train enthusiast who found joy in every locomotive, every stretch of track, and every tiny detail.
• The inventory of long distance moon kisses
• A lifelong student with endless curiosity. Whatever captured his interest, he immersed himself completely. When he acquired his first drone, he spent hours researching every detail, filling pages of handwritten notes until he had mastered every aspect of it.
• The undisputed king of foot massages- even after his daughter's college field hockey games, he'd happily rub her feet right at the dinner table.
• The creator of legendary home bars that became the heart of countless celebrations and gatherings with family and friends.

Rick's greatest legacy wasn't found in the things he built or repaired, but in the countless ways he loved and cared for the people around him. He was the person everyone called, the one who always showed up, and someone who could seemingly do it all. These are among the many things that made him so special; he will forever be loved, missed, and remembered.