Felipe Regalado was the son of Felipe Regalado Sr. and Julia Guzman. He was the youngest of six siblings: Fernando, David, Cristina, Alberto, and Esperanza. He was born in the family home at address: tercero cuartel, casa #23 Calle Ignacio Allende, Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico. He spent most of his childhood in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Colonia de La Esperanza.
Felipe received a third grade education and became a shoemaker's apprentice at an early age. He was a smart and very sharp little boy with severe myopia, whose family had no means for eye glasses. Although he was very inquisitive and always wanting to learn, without eye glasses he was unable to see the blackboard and quit school. He once told me about growing up in Guadalajara as a young boy walking through cobble stone streets as through the distance he heard Ravel's Bolero on a gramophone while he looked though a butcher shop window hoping to someday have a taste of a wealthy man's food, "ham."
Felipe went on to become a highly skilled and talented shoemaker and designer. Felipe was a union leader in Mexico and Guanajuato during a strong labor movement and was eventually blackballed from the shoe manufacturing industry in Mexico. His last Mexican job was in Tijuana, Mx where his employer requested a visa to enable him to travel to the U.S. freely, to purchase the necessary materials for the trade. Through the "Bracero Program" of the 1940's, he emigrated legally to the U.S (in 1952) where he worked for many years for Carolina's Shoe Manufacturing Company and bought his own home and cobbler shop in East Los Angeles, CA. He was a legal resident and became a U.S. citizen in 1993.
At his cobbler shop, Felipe made special order shoes for Doctors at California Hospital and for special needs clients. For many years, Felipe was a member of a small group of expatriate, heavily politicized shoemakers who met regularly to discuss political issues. Felipe was a well read man who enjoyed politics and world affairs. He was a union Member and a loyal blood donor for the Red Cross of America. He was a loyal and responsible husband, loving father to his four daughters from his second marriage and loyal and compassionate friend with a genuine kind heart. For his giving nature, Felipe earned his last name which he was so proud of "Regalado," which means: present; to give away; or bestow. Although always a blue collar worker, he was a sharp dresser who always wore a white collar shirt, slacks and genuine leather shoes (that he made) to work in is own shop. Felipe preferred a quiet atmosphere but was a great punster and a friendly man. He made my prom high heel shoes, especially for me, and he will be missed dearly. Felipe was very well rounded and open minded. * Although a Catholic, he believed and hoped that he'd come back to earth as an eagle.
Felipe passed away in 1995 due to cardiogenic shock. He is survived by his wife Isabel and his four daughters whom he referred to as his "Reinitas," (little queens); Felipe instilled in his daughters a good work ethic, to value education, to have self respect and to be self sufficient. Felipe had two other daughters in Mexico, D.F. whom he fathered in his late teens and he had one son named David who was raised in Los Angeles, CA.
Felipe received a third grade education and became a shoemaker's apprentice at an early age. He was a smart and very sharp little boy with severe myopia, whose family had no means for eye glasses. Although he was very inquisitive and always wanting to learn, without eye glasses he was unable to see the blackboard and quit school. He once told me about growing up in Guadalajara as a young boy walking through cobble stone streets as through the distance he heard Ravel's Bolero on a gramophone while he looked though a butcher shop window hoping to someday have a taste of a wealthy man's food, "ham."
Felipe went on to become a highly skilled and talented shoemaker and designer. Felipe was a union leader in Mexico and Guanajuato during a strong labor movement and was eventually blackballed from the shoe manufacturing industry in Mexico. His last Mexican job was in Tijuana, Mx where his employer requested a visa to enable him to travel to the U.S. freely, to purchase the necessary materials for the trade. Through the "Bracero Program" of the 1940's, he emigrated legally to the U.S (in 1952) where he worked for many years for Carolina's Shoe Manufacturing Company and bought his own home and cobbler shop in East Los Angeles, CA. He was a legal resident and became a U.S. citizen in 1993.
At his cobbler shop, Felipe made special order shoes for Doctors at California Hospital and for special needs clients. For many years, Felipe was a member of a small group of expatriate, heavily politicized shoemakers who met regularly to discuss political issues. Felipe was a well read man who enjoyed politics and world affairs. He was a union Member and a loyal blood donor for the Red Cross of America. He was a loyal and responsible husband, loving father to his four daughters from his second marriage and loyal and compassionate friend with a genuine kind heart. For his giving nature, Felipe earned his last name which he was so proud of "Regalado," which means: present; to give away; or bestow. Although always a blue collar worker, he was a sharp dresser who always wore a white collar shirt, slacks and genuine leather shoes (that he made) to work in is own shop. Felipe preferred a quiet atmosphere but was a great punster and a friendly man. He made my prom high heel shoes, especially for me, and he will be missed dearly. Felipe was very well rounded and open minded. * Although a Catholic, he believed and hoped that he'd come back to earth as an eagle.
Felipe passed away in 1995 due to cardiogenic shock. He is survived by his wife Isabel and his four daughters whom he referred to as his "Reinitas," (little queens); Felipe instilled in his daughters a good work ethic, to value education, to have self respect and to be self sufficient. Felipe had two other daughters in Mexico, D.F. whom he fathered in his late teens and he had one son named David who was raised in Los Angeles, CA.
Felipe Regalado was the son of Felipe Regalado Sr. and Julia Guzman. He was the youngest of six siblings: Fernando, David, Cristina, Alberto, and Esperanza. He was born in the family home at address: tercero cuartel, casa #23 Calle Ignacio Allende, Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico. He spent most of his childhood in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Colonia de La Esperanza.
Felipe received a third grade education and became a shoemaker's apprentice at an early age. He was a smart and very sharp little boy with severe myopia, whose family had no means for eye glasses. Although he was very inquisitive and always wanting to learn, without eye glasses he was unable to see the blackboard and quit school. He once told me about growing up in Guadalajara as a young boy walking through cobble stone streets as through the distance he heard Ravel's Bolero on a gramophone while he looked though a butcher shop window hoping to someday have a taste of a wealthy man's food, "ham."
Felipe went on to become a highly skilled and talented shoemaker and designer. Felipe was a union leader in Mexico and Guanajuato during a strong labor movement and was eventually blackballed from the shoe manufacturing industry in Mexico. His last Mexican job was in Tijuana, Mx where his employer requested a visa to enable him to travel to the U.S. freely, to purchase the necessary materials for the trade. Through the "Bracero Program" of the 1940's, he emigrated legally to the U.S (in 1952) where he worked for many years for Carolina's Shoe Manufacturing Company and bought his own home and cobbler shop in East Los Angeles, CA. He was a legal resident and became a U.S. citizen in 1993.
At his cobbler shop, Felipe made special order shoes for Doctors at California Hospital and for special needs clients. For many years, Felipe was a member of a small group of expatriate, heavily politicized shoemakers who met regularly to discuss political issues. Felipe was a well read man who enjoyed politics and world affairs. He was a union Member and a loyal blood donor for the Red Cross of America. He was a loyal and responsible husband, loving father to his four daughters from his second marriage and loyal and compassionate friend with a genuine kind heart. For his giving nature, Felipe earned his last name which he was so proud of "Regalado," which means: present; to give away; or bestow. Although always a blue collar worker, he was a sharp dresser who always wore a white collar shirt, slacks and genuine leather shoes (that he made) to work in is own shop. Felipe preferred a quiet atmosphere but was a great punster and a friendly man. He made my prom high heel shoes, especially for me, and he will be missed dearly. Felipe was very well rounded and open minded. * Although a Catholic, he believed and hoped that he'd come back to earth as an eagle.
Felipe passed away in 1995 due to cardiogenic shock. He is survived by his wife Isabel and his four daughters whom he referred to as his "Reinitas," (little queens); Felipe instilled in his daughters a good work ethic, to value education, to have self respect and to be self sufficient. Felipe had two other daughters in Mexico, D.F. whom he fathered in his late teens and he had one son named David who was raised in Los Angeles, CA.
Felipe received a third grade education and became a shoemaker's apprentice at an early age. He was a smart and very sharp little boy with severe myopia, whose family had no means for eye glasses. Although he was very inquisitive and always wanting to learn, without eye glasses he was unable to see the blackboard and quit school. He once told me about growing up in Guadalajara as a young boy walking through cobble stone streets as through the distance he heard Ravel's Bolero on a gramophone while he looked though a butcher shop window hoping to someday have a taste of a wealthy man's food, "ham."
Felipe went on to become a highly skilled and talented shoemaker and designer. Felipe was a union leader in Mexico and Guanajuato during a strong labor movement and was eventually blackballed from the shoe manufacturing industry in Mexico. His last Mexican job was in Tijuana, Mx where his employer requested a visa to enable him to travel to the U.S. freely, to purchase the necessary materials for the trade. Through the "Bracero Program" of the 1940's, he emigrated legally to the U.S (in 1952) where he worked for many years for Carolina's Shoe Manufacturing Company and bought his own home and cobbler shop in East Los Angeles, CA. He was a legal resident and became a U.S. citizen in 1993.
At his cobbler shop, Felipe made special order shoes for Doctors at California Hospital and for special needs clients. For many years, Felipe was a member of a small group of expatriate, heavily politicized shoemakers who met regularly to discuss political issues. Felipe was a well read man who enjoyed politics and world affairs. He was a union Member and a loyal blood donor for the Red Cross of America. He was a loyal and responsible husband, loving father to his four daughters from his second marriage and loyal and compassionate friend with a genuine kind heart. For his giving nature, Felipe earned his last name which he was so proud of "Regalado," which means: present; to give away; or bestow. Although always a blue collar worker, he was a sharp dresser who always wore a white collar shirt, slacks and genuine leather shoes (that he made) to work in is own shop. Felipe preferred a quiet atmosphere but was a great punster and a friendly man. He made my prom high heel shoes, especially for me, and he will be missed dearly. Felipe was very well rounded and open minded. * Although a Catholic, he believed and hoped that he'd come back to earth as an eagle.
Felipe passed away in 1995 due to cardiogenic shock. He is survived by his wife Isabel and his four daughters whom he referred to as his "Reinitas," (little queens); Felipe instilled in his daughters a good work ethic, to value education, to have self respect and to be self sufficient. Felipe had two other daughters in Mexico, D.F. whom he fathered in his late teens and he had one son named David who was raised in Los Angeles, CA.
