Gabriel Mendez of Auburn, California died at home Saturday, January 15, 2011 after a 12 year battle against prostate cancer. With family and loved ones present, he peacefully passed away.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio March 16, 1938 to Spanish immigrants, Francisco and Mercedes Mendez, Gabe grew up in a bustling environment with a large extended family. At age 10, Gabe moved across country to Southern California with his parents and brothers. He was an intelligent, outgoing and enterprising young man.

Anxious to jump into the business of life, Gabe married his sweetheart Carolyn in 1956, bought a Diamond-T Dump truck, and began his endeavors in earnest. With hard work and integrity, he became a successful general engineering contractor. He moved his operations north, to Auburn in 1970 where family and business have continued to thrive.

Once retired, his ambitions led him to pursue another dream, of using his land to farm. He began work on a vineyard and winery in 1999. His Vina Castellano wines pay homage to his Spanish heritage.

Gabe was a man of many passions, and enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, golf, hunting, landscaping and entertaining. Above all, he treasured family and his great friendships with many dear friends. He was a devout Catholic, very active in St. Joseph's and St. Teresa of Avila parishes. He was quite involved in the Auburn Community, and belonged to The Elks Club, The Lions, Knights of Columbus and many other groups and clubs. He was also a quiet philanthropist, who helped many individuals and organizations offering his time and talents in numerous church and community projects over the years.

Gabe is survived by His wife, Carolyn, children Gabriel Mendez, Cindy Mooney, Augustina Wilkins and Monica Deconinck, his daughter-in-law Vicki Mendez, Son's-in-law Craig Wilkins and Marc Deconinck, his grandchildren, Gabriel, Evan, Kiernan, Sean, Chance, Cooper, Vincent, Ines, Elise, Santi, Louis, and Claude (Coco), his brother Julio and his spouse Phoebe and their children and grandchildren, sister-in-law Gaylene Arter and her daughter Mattie, and sister-in-law Sue Stanley and her children Teresa Pierce, Deanna Olmstead, Troy Arter, and their children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Frank and Steve.

A visitation will be held at St. Teresa of Avila, 11600 Atwood Rd., Auburn, CA on Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 6 to 7 pm with a rosary beginning at 7. The funeral mass will be on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 12:00 noon, also at St. Teresa's. Interment will follow at the New Auburn Cemetery.