Calvin Gene Tavares, 73, of Stevinson, CA died on October 27, 2023.
He was born in San Jose, California in 1950 to Frank and Eva Tavares. He was the youngest of 3 boys. Cal started playing baseball when he was around 9 years old. He loved the game so much that he would ride his bike miles and miles to get to practice. He attended Peterson High School and lettered in baseball and football. He graduated from Peterson in 1969 and then went on to play baseball and complete his AA at West Valley College. He completed his BA in Physical Education with a minor in Industrial Arts at San Jose State. He continued on at San Jose State to complete his teaching credential.
On June 9, 1973 he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia. In 1974 they moved from the Bay Area to the Central Valley to help care for Patricia’s parents. During this time he coached and taught for Hilmar School District, and then found a permanent teaching job with Turlock Unified School District as a PE and Woodshop teacher at Roselawn High School, where he spent the majority of his 35 year teaching career. He took great pride in coaching his students on and off the field and thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge and celebrating their successes.
Cal and Pat were so excited to start a family and their daughter Mandy was born in 1980. In 1986, Jennifer was born and completed their family of four. He meant everything to his girls.
Everyone who knew Cal, knew that his passion for baseball never ended. He continued to play softball throughout his life with great love and joy for the game. He was happiest when he had a glove or bat in hand and his family in the stands.
Cal was preceded in death by his father (Frank), mother (Eva), brother (Gary) and granddaughter (Sadie).
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia, daughters Amanda Tavares-Alvernaz (Allen) and Jennifer Gonsalves (Dennis) and brother, Frank Tavares (Terry). He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren (Calen, KatieJoy, Evee, JJ and Reagan).
Cal was a loving husband, the very best daddy, and an amazing papa to his 6 grandchildren. We couldn’t have asked for a more self-less, hard-working, loving leader of our family and will miss him every day for the rest of our lives. He was our rock and superhero, often quietly watching over us in the background. He will live in our memories and we look ahead with anticipation to when we will meet him in heaven someday.
Viewing will be held at Allen Mortuary on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 5:00-7:00p.m.
Funeral will also be held at Allen Mortuary on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 10:00a.m. with interment to follow at Hilmar Cemetery District.
Luncheon will be held at Great American Grill in Hilmar after interment.
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