Steve Solorzano

Steve Solorzano passed away October 22nd in a Santa Clara hospital after several years of declining physical health. He spent most of his life in Gilroy until the past couple of years when he moved to San Jose and then, recently, to Santa Clara.

Steve was born in Arvin, CA to Toribio “Toby” Solorzano and Luz “Lucy” Castelo Solorzano. (His mother was unable to make it to the hospital, and Steve was born at home.) Toby, a farm laborer, moved around California following the crops, often moving the family with him. Other times, Lucy kept the children with her while she lived near her parents in the Los Angeles area. This meant Steve’s early years were spent in many different towns, but the family settled permanently in Gilroy in 1959.

Steve was a popular child with his good looks and wicked sense of humor. He proved to be a very talented artist; drawing was his life-long passion, winning some local awards throughout his school years. He also loved movies, including Elvis Presley and Bruce Lee films, which also spoke to his interest in rock ‘n roll music and martial arts. His favorite movies, however, were the old classic horror movies. He drew them, of course, and collected models, magazines, and movie posters. He was also interested in wild animals. He found and kept as many as he could until he was bitten feeding his baby rattlesnake. While he was in the hospital his mother had his brothers set all his snakes free!

He graduated from Gilroy High School in 1966, then, getting his parents to sign for him, he joined the Army at 17 years of age. He spent time in Germany and Vietnam. While in the service he injured his knee which turned out to be a life-long problem. When he got back stateside he worked at various warehouse jobs including driving a forklift at the F & P Cannery and Indian Motorcycles. He met Lilly Navarette, and they married in Hollister. Together they raised three children in Gilroy: Edmund, Denise, and Robert.

Steve was preceded in death by both of his parents and brothers Edward (Lalo) and Toby. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Lilly; children Edmund (Michelle), Denise (Donald), and Robert (Yvette); brothers Gregorio and Daniel; sisters Rosemary, Lucy, and Anna; eleven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Services will be held Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at St. Mary Church in Gilroy. Praying the rosary was something Steve was devoted to until he passed, so a Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Mary Cemetery.