Felipe Morán Martinez

Felipe Morán Martinez passed away July 1, 2021 at the age of 96. He was born to the late Antonio and Guadalupe Morán on August 23, 1924 in El Gavilán de Arriba, Jalisco, Mexico. Felipe married the love of his life Francisca Fuentes in 1946, and soon after, he ventured to El Norte (the U.S.) to seek a better life for himself and his bride. Felipe was a dedicated hardworking undocumented migrant farm worker with a dream of becoming a documented resident someday. He toiled up and down the west coast for years following the harvests of different agricultural crops. In 1954, while picking grapes in Napa Valley, Felipe fell in love with this area and he knew instinctively, he would bring his family here as soon as he could. His dedication and work ethic paid off, and he became a documented resident in the mid 1960s, and in 1967, his dream of bringing his family to the Napa Valley became a reality. He was reunited with his beloved wife and his two children. He was a vineyard foreman, a supervisor, and heavy machinery mechanic in the Napa Valley for 35 years and he cared deeply for the well being of others, specially farm workers. In the 1970s, he became president of the UFW (United Farm Workers Union) at Napa Valley Vineyards in Rutherford to ensure that vineyard workers were treated fairly. Felipe is survived by his four children Maria de la luz Morán de Aguilera, Amelia Morán Ceja, Abigail Martinez and Antonio Fuentes Morán; his seven grandchildren Maricela Lopez, Luz Amelia Fletcher, Navek, Ariel and Dalia Ceja, Eric Martinez, and Sofia Morán; his six great grandchildren Alex and Kayla Lopez, Amelia, Alivia and Aria Fletcher and Luna Isabella Ceja Swedelson, and many nieces and nephews. Felipe is predeceased by his wife Francisca Fuentes de Moran, sister Teresa Morán, and his brothers Francisco, Ventura, and Alfonso Morán. Felipe was dedicated to his family and his community and he had a great sense of humor. He was loving, kind, and generous. His legacy will continue to make a profound difference in the world through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was immensely proud of his family and leaves behind cherished beautiful memories. A rosary will be prayed and a visitation to follow on Tuesday, July 6, at 6pm, at Claffey & Rota Funeral Home, in Napa, CA (masks required). A mass will be celebrated at 11am on Wednesday, July 7, at St. Helena Catholic Church in St. Helena, CA. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in St. Helena, CA.

Felipe Morán Martinez

August 23, 1924 - July 1, 2021

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Felipe Morán Martinez

August 23, 1924 - July 1, 2021

Obituary Notification

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