NESTOR F. ALCANTAR Heaven's eastern gate opened up to receive the Lord's servant on May 13, 2011, at the age of 83. ""Well done, thou good and faithful servant"" greeted Nestor Florez Alcantar, after a full and wonderful, spirit-filled life. Nestor succumbed to complications from pneumonia. Nestor was born in Prairie, Arizona. After leaving Arizona with his family in 1942, Nestor settled into the Coachella Valley until his teen years. He and his brother, Samuel and his father, Jesus, worked the high date palm trees, harvesting the dates. Hard work, but it provided for the family. Nestor was drafted into the Army in 1946. After an honorable discharge in 1947, he enlisted in the Navy. He served from 1950 to 1954 on the U.S.S. Satyr. He met the love of his life on January 5, 1952, Maggie Yniguez. They were married on February 16, 1957. Having been working at Norton Air Force Base as a civil accountant, the couple settled in Colton, CA. Their first child was born in 1959, Nestor Anthony, followed by a son, Joseph Donato in 1962, and finally a daughter, Rita Teresa, in 1966. All the while, Nestor epitomized the typical American dream, bought a home, and raised his family, working extremely hard. He was devoted to his family all his life. Nestor dedicated his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in December of 1979. As the years went on, and seeing his children leave, marry and provide 6 granddaughters; Nestor welcomed 3 great-grandsons and 1 great-granddaughter. Nestor and Maggie settled into San Marcos in 2007 and enjoyed the twilight of his life in peaceful harmony. Nestor was a precious gift to his family and was loved beyond measure. He was truly one of a kind. He will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maggie; sons, Tony and Joseph; daughter, Rita Shepard; son-in-law David Shepard; and daughter-in-law, Yolanda Alcantar; as well as grandchildren, Tiffany Alcantar, Crystal Carpenter, Heidi Stuzman, Denise Alcantar, Laura Wachter and Jackie Alcantar; great grandchildren, Hayden Anthony Alcantar, Cody and Dylan Wachter, and Kayla Stutzman; and by siblings, Jess Alcantar, Tom Alcantar, Harry Alcantar, Charlie Rojas, Gertrude Valdivia and Erma Furman. He was preceded in death by parents, Jesus, Rita and stepmother, Erminia; as well as siblings Samuel Alcantar, Mary Yanez and Eleanor Espinoza. Services will be held at Montecito Memorial Park, Valley View Chapel, 3520 East Washington St., Colton, CA 92324. Viewing will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011, and a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Published in San Bernardino Sun on May 18, 2011.