NAVARRO, Gilbert (Gil) Canchola (Pancho)

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Arizona Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Santa Paula — Gilbert Canchola Navarro, age 77, passed away Nov. 24, 2011, Thanksgiving Day, at his home in Santa Paula, Calif. surrounded by his loving family. Gil was born March 3, 1935 in Globe to Maria Canchola and Adolfo Navarro. Following his primary and secondary education, graduating from Globe High School in 1955, Gil received an AA from Palo Verde Junior College at Blythe, Calif. He received his Bachelor degree from California Western University, at San Diego, Calif. on a football scholarship. Gil began his teaching career as a third grade teacher in Blythe’s Margaret White Elementary School. Accepting a teaching position in Santa Paula, Calif., he taught at Isabel Middle School, where he would remain for 37 years until his retirement. “Coach” as he was known, coached all sports at Isabel Middle School, Santa Paula High School and St. Bonaventure High School, in Ventura, Calif. He coached Little League baseball for many years, girls A.A.U. track and field teams, named the Santa Paula Tigerettes, a salute to the Globe High School Tigers. He was active in the Moose Club, and received the “Blue Coat” for exceeding membership goals. He was also the director of fundraising for scholarships for Santa Paula youth. His lifetime membership with the Termites of Globe was one of distinctive pride. Gil’s remains will be brought to Globe by his wife, Pat’ sons, Danny, and Kevin and daughter-in-law Kelly, and grandsons K.C. and Brett. Gil, “Pancho” as he was known in Globe, was preceded in death by sister, Esperanza; and brother, Fernando Navarro. Gil is survived by sisters, Margaret Smith of Globe, Lydia Walsh (Bill) of La Grange, Ill. and Mary Robinson (Bob) of Phoenix, Ariz. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2012 at Holy Angels Church in Globe, Ariz. Burial will be at Globe Cemetery following the mass. At 1 p.m. there will be a reception of “Celebration” at the Globe American Legion Hall. And as he liked to say, “Go Tigers!”