Henry Ernest Corda, lifetime resident of Gonzales, CA passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2022. Known by all as Hank, he lived an amazing 101 years and will be deeply missed by family, friends, and many in the City of Gonzales and the Salinas Valley.
He was an excellent husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He had a unique ability to connect with people and give a piece of himself to everyone. One of his best attributes was knowing when it was necessary to give some tough love. This resulted in lifetime benefits for those fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it, albeit uncomfortable at times.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Ramilda, his wife of 58 years Lucille Corda, his brother Angelo Corda, his sister Angie Breschini, and son John Corda of Tahoe City.
Henry is survived by his daughter Valerie Braga/Stan, grandsons Carson/Kate and Marshall/Alison – his daughter in law Jan Corda, granddaughters Katie/Mario Torres and Lauren Corda, his son Butch/Nancy Corda and granddaughter Brittany Corda and his son Chris Corda/Sherri and grandson Cameron/Catlin and granddaughter Candice/Jorge Rodriguez. Henry was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren: Blake, Chase, Crew, Teagan, Talia, Phoenix, Brooke, Sterling, Bennett, Bradley, Dylan, and Landon.
Hank was a graduate of Gonzales High School and was a tremendous three sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball). In 2006, he was inducted into the inaugural class of Gonzales Spartan Sports Hall of Fame.
After high school, he attended Salinas Junior College (Hartnell) and played football. Immediately after Pearl Harbor he enlisted into the Marine Corps and spent four years honorably serving his country in the Pacific Theater. Hank was a member of the epic Marine Corps/Navy invading force that engaged in combat during Feb-March 1945 to secure the island of Iwo Jima and its airbases. He was a shining example of what became known as the Greatest Generation: American citizens shaped by the Great Depression and primary participants in World War II.
Upon returning home he worked 10 years as a bus driver and mechanic for Gonzales High School. If you were a passenger on a bus Henry was driving, you remained very quiet or he would pull over and you would soon be walking home. Eventually he returned to the family farm and for the next 35 years he farmed the ranch at the end of Corda Road, just a couple of miles outside the city of Gonzales.
Upon retirement, Hank treasured his daily coffee shop breakfasts with so many of his lifetime friends. With his strong Swiss heritage, it was not surprising that he never missed any local polenta and stew feeds. In the afternoons you could catch him in his wind protected back yard, sitting (napping) and surrounded by his special orange and apple trees, with a fantastic view of the Santa Lucia Mountains west of town. Every day at around 2:00 pm his humming bird friend would come by and visit with him.
Hank was very supportive of the Gonzales Community. He was a long time member of the Gonzales Booster Club and a lifetime member of the Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club. He was also a member of the Gonzales American Legion, where the Corda and Pisoni families would all gather for their annual Thanksgiving celebration.
By his own admission, he was not a very good student, BUT he was the perfect example of a person who did not have to be a good student in order to be a great teacher. He lived his life by example, and anyone who knew this special man would absolutely attest to that. During the summer months, many local teenagers would work on the ranch and they learned by his example the value of hard work and accountability.
His 100th birthday celebration was extremely limited due to Covid restrictions, however, the honors he received were so special. He received a Monterey County resolution recognizing his service not only to our country but also to his many contributions to Gonzales and Monterey County. Hank also received a resolution from the United States Congress for his service to our country and his contributions to Monterey County and it was read on the floor of Congress and entered into the Congressional Records. In addition to these two prestigious resolutions, he was also honored as one of the Veterans of the Year in Monterey County for the 2020 year.
Hank very much looked forward to his weekly Friday lunches with grandsons Carson and Marshall. They were always just a phone call away for anything and everything he might need.
Hank also liked to tell everyone what a blessing it was to have such a devoted daughter (Valerie) living close to provide him with so much comfort and care.
Butch would deliver a barbequed meal every week and would coordinate that around watching a San Francisco 49er game or Giant game or Warrior game with him. He was easy to cook for as long as you met two conditions – quantity and serve the food nuclear hot.
The last two years of Hank's life he was blessed with the assistance of Yolanda Chavez - she became a very dear and caring friend and would chauffeur him in the mornings to his breakfast at McDonalds.
Special thanks also to Nona Willis for the almost daily delivery of homemade desserts she made for him.
Also a special thanks to Mike Treina for all of his help to Hank in the last couple of years of his life.
In his entire life of 101 plus years, the only time he was substantially away from Gonzales was the four years of his military service to our country.
Hank lived a simple life, but he was definitely not a simplistic person. Amazingly, he was still independent and healthy up to his final month. There will be no more solo nights for him. We can only imagine the joy of him now reuniting with his wife Lucille who preceded him in death by 17 years and his son John by 5 years.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Spartan 300 Club for the Gonzales Hall of Fame c/o Larry Rodriguez – PO Box 1624, Gonzales CA 93926 or to your favorite charity.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Henry Corda, enjoy the eternal peace you now have……Semper Fidelis Henry Corda, Semper Fidelis
He was an excellent husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He had a unique ability to connect with people and give a piece of himself to everyone. One of his best attributes was knowing when it was necessary to give some tough love. This resulted in lifetime benefits for those fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it, albeit uncomfortable at times.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Ramilda, his wife of 58 years Lucille Corda, his brother Angelo Corda, his sister Angie Breschini, and son John Corda of Tahoe City.
Henry is survived by his daughter Valerie Braga/Stan, grandsons Carson/Kate and Marshall/Alison – his daughter in law Jan Corda, granddaughters Katie/Mario Torres and Lauren Corda, his son Butch/Nancy Corda and granddaughter Brittany Corda and his son Chris Corda/Sherri and grandson Cameron/Catlin and granddaughter Candice/Jorge Rodriguez. Henry was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren: Blake, Chase, Crew, Teagan, Talia, Phoenix, Brooke, Sterling, Bennett, Bradley, Dylan, and Landon.
Hank was a graduate of Gonzales High School and was a tremendous three sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball). In 2006, he was inducted into the inaugural class of Gonzales Spartan Sports Hall of Fame.
After high school, he attended Salinas Junior College (Hartnell) and played football. Immediately after Pearl Harbor he enlisted into the Marine Corps and spent four years honorably serving his country in the Pacific Theater. Hank was a member of the epic Marine Corps/Navy invading force that engaged in combat during Feb-March 1945 to secure the island of Iwo Jima and its airbases. He was a shining example of what became known as the Greatest Generation: American citizens shaped by the Great Depression and primary participants in World War II.
Upon returning home he worked 10 years as a bus driver and mechanic for Gonzales High School. If you were a passenger on a bus Henry was driving, you remained very quiet or he would pull over and you would soon be walking home. Eventually he returned to the family farm and for the next 35 years he farmed the ranch at the end of Corda Road, just a couple of miles outside the city of Gonzales.
Upon retirement, Hank treasured his daily coffee shop breakfasts with so many of his lifetime friends. With his strong Swiss heritage, it was not surprising that he never missed any local polenta and stew feeds. In the afternoons you could catch him in his wind protected back yard, sitting (napping) and surrounded by his special orange and apple trees, with a fantastic view of the Santa Lucia Mountains west of town. Every day at around 2:00 pm his humming bird friend would come by and visit with him.
Hank was very supportive of the Gonzales Community. He was a long time member of the Gonzales Booster Club and a lifetime member of the Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club. He was also a member of the Gonzales American Legion, where the Corda and Pisoni families would all gather for their annual Thanksgiving celebration.
By his own admission, he was not a very good student, BUT he was the perfect example of a person who did not have to be a good student in order to be a great teacher. He lived his life by example, and anyone who knew this special man would absolutely attest to that. During the summer months, many local teenagers would work on the ranch and they learned by his example the value of hard work and accountability.
His 100th birthday celebration was extremely limited due to Covid restrictions, however, the honors he received were so special. He received a Monterey County resolution recognizing his service not only to our country but also to his many contributions to Gonzales and Monterey County. Hank also received a resolution from the United States Congress for his service to our country and his contributions to Monterey County and it was read on the floor of Congress and entered into the Congressional Records. In addition to these two prestigious resolutions, he was also honored as one of the Veterans of the Year in Monterey County for the 2020 year.
Hank very much looked forward to his weekly Friday lunches with grandsons Carson and Marshall. They were always just a phone call away for anything and everything he might need.
Hank also liked to tell everyone what a blessing it was to have such a devoted daughter (Valerie) living close to provide him with so much comfort and care.
Butch would deliver a barbequed meal every week and would coordinate that around watching a San Francisco 49er game or Giant game or Warrior game with him. He was easy to cook for as long as you met two conditions – quantity and serve the food nuclear hot.
The last two years of Hank's life he was blessed with the assistance of Yolanda Chavez - she became a very dear and caring friend and would chauffeur him in the mornings to his breakfast at McDonalds.
Special thanks also to Nona Willis for the almost daily delivery of homemade desserts she made for him.
Also a special thanks to Mike Treina for all of his help to Hank in the last couple of years of his life.
In his entire life of 101 plus years, the only time he was substantially away from Gonzales was the four years of his military service to our country.
Hank lived a simple life, but he was definitely not a simplistic person. Amazingly, he was still independent and healthy up to his final month. There will be no more solo nights for him. We can only imagine the joy of him now reuniting with his wife Lucille who preceded him in death by 17 years and his son John by 5 years.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Spartan 300 Club for the Gonzales Hall of Fame c/o Larry Rodriguez – PO Box 1624, Gonzales CA 93926 or to your favorite charity.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Henry Corda, enjoy the eternal peace you now have……Semper Fidelis Henry Corda, Semper Fidelis
Henry Ernest Corda, lifetime resident of Gonzales, CA passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2022. Known by all as Hank, he lived an amazing 101 years and will be deeply missed by family, friends, and many in the City of Gonzales and the Salinas Valley.
He was an excellent husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He had a unique ability to connect with people and give a piece of himself to everyone. One of his best attributes was knowing when it was necessary to give some tough love. This resulted in lifetime benefits for those fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it, albeit uncomfortable at times.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Ramilda, his wife of 58 years Lucille Corda, his brother Angelo Corda, his sister Angie Breschini, and son John Corda of Tahoe City.
Henry is survived by his daughter Valerie Braga/Stan, grandsons Carson/Kate and Marshall/Alison – his daughter in law Jan Corda, granddaughters Katie/Mario Torres and Lauren Corda, his son Butch/Nancy Corda and granddaughter Brittany Corda and his son Chris Corda/Sherri and grandson Cameron/Catlin and granddaughter Candice/Jorge Rodriguez. Henry was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren: Blake, Chase, Crew, Teagan, Talia, Phoenix, Brooke, Sterling, Bennett, Bradley, Dylan, and Landon.
Hank was a graduate of Gonzales High School and was a tremendous three sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball). In 2006, he was inducted into the inaugural class of Gonzales Spartan Sports Hall of Fame.
After high school, he attended Salinas Junior College (Hartnell) and played football. Immediately after Pearl Harbor he enlisted into the Marine Corps and spent four years honorably serving his country in the Pacific Theater. Hank was a member of the epic Marine Corps/Navy invading force that engaged in combat during Feb-March 1945 to secure the island of Iwo Jima and its airbases. He was a shining example of what became known as the Greatest Generation: American citizens shaped by the Great Depression and primary participants in World War II.
Upon returning home he worked 10 years as a bus driver and mechanic for Gonzales High School. If you were a passenger on a bus Henry was driving, you remained very quiet or he would pull over and you would soon be walking home. Eventually he returned to the family farm and for the next 35 years he farmed the ranch at the end of Corda Road, just a couple of miles outside the city of Gonzales.
Upon retirement, Hank treasured his daily coffee shop breakfasts with so many of his lifetime friends. With his strong Swiss heritage, it was not surprising that he never missed any local polenta and stew feeds. In the afternoons you could catch him in his wind protected back yard, sitting (napping) and surrounded by his special orange and apple trees, with a fantastic view of the Santa Lucia Mountains west of town. Every day at around 2:00 pm his humming bird friend would come by and visit with him.
Hank was very supportive of the Gonzales Community. He was a long time member of the Gonzales Booster Club and a lifetime member of the Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club. He was also a member of the Gonzales American Legion, where the Corda and Pisoni families would all gather for their annual Thanksgiving celebration.
By his own admission, he was not a very good student, BUT he was the perfect example of a person who did not have to be a good student in order to be a great teacher. He lived his life by example, and anyone who knew this special man would absolutely attest to that. During the summer months, many local teenagers would work on the ranch and they learned by his example the value of hard work and accountability.
His 100th birthday celebration was extremely limited due to Covid restrictions, however, the honors he received were so special. He received a Monterey County resolution recognizing his service not only to our country but also to his many contributions to Gonzales and Monterey County. Hank also received a resolution from the United States Congress for his service to our country and his contributions to Monterey County and it was read on the floor of Congress and entered into the Congressional Records. In addition to these two prestigious resolutions, he was also honored as one of the Veterans of the Year in Monterey County for the 2020 year.
Hank very much looked forward to his weekly Friday lunches with grandsons Carson and Marshall. They were always just a phone call away for anything and everything he might need.
Hank also liked to tell everyone what a blessing it was to have such a devoted daughter (Valerie) living close to provide him with so much comfort and care.
Butch would deliver a barbequed meal every week and would coordinate that around watching a San Francisco 49er game or Giant game or Warrior game with him. He was easy to cook for as long as you met two conditions – quantity and serve the food nuclear hot.
The last two years of Hank's life he was blessed with the assistance of Yolanda Chavez - she became a very dear and caring friend and would chauffeur him in the mornings to his breakfast at McDonalds.
Special thanks also to Nona Willis for the almost daily delivery of homemade desserts she made for him.
Also a special thanks to Mike Treina for all of his help to Hank in the last couple of years of his life.
In his entire life of 101 plus years, the only time he was substantially away from Gonzales was the four years of his military service to our country.
Hank lived a simple life, but he was definitely not a simplistic person. Amazingly, he was still independent and healthy up to his final month. There will be no more solo nights for him. We can only imagine the joy of him now reuniting with his wife Lucille who preceded him in death by 17 years and his son John by 5 years.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Spartan 300 Club for the Gonzales Hall of Fame c/o Larry Rodriguez – PO Box 1624, Gonzales CA 93926 or to your favorite charity.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Henry Corda, enjoy the eternal peace you now have……Semper Fidelis Henry Corda, Semper Fidelis
He was an excellent husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He had a unique ability to connect with people and give a piece of himself to everyone. One of his best attributes was knowing when it was necessary to give some tough love. This resulted in lifetime benefits for those fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it, albeit uncomfortable at times.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Ramilda, his wife of 58 years Lucille Corda, his brother Angelo Corda, his sister Angie Breschini, and son John Corda of Tahoe City.
Henry is survived by his daughter Valerie Braga/Stan, grandsons Carson/Kate and Marshall/Alison – his daughter in law Jan Corda, granddaughters Katie/Mario Torres and Lauren Corda, his son Butch/Nancy Corda and granddaughter Brittany Corda and his son Chris Corda/Sherri and grandson Cameron/Catlin and granddaughter Candice/Jorge Rodriguez. Henry was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren: Blake, Chase, Crew, Teagan, Talia, Phoenix, Brooke, Sterling, Bennett, Bradley, Dylan, and Landon.
Hank was a graduate of Gonzales High School and was a tremendous three sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball). In 2006, he was inducted into the inaugural class of Gonzales Spartan Sports Hall of Fame.
After high school, he attended Salinas Junior College (Hartnell) and played football. Immediately after Pearl Harbor he enlisted into the Marine Corps and spent four years honorably serving his country in the Pacific Theater. Hank was a member of the epic Marine Corps/Navy invading force that engaged in combat during Feb-March 1945 to secure the island of Iwo Jima and its airbases. He was a shining example of what became known as the Greatest Generation: American citizens shaped by the Great Depression and primary participants in World War II.
Upon returning home he worked 10 years as a bus driver and mechanic for Gonzales High School. If you were a passenger on a bus Henry was driving, you remained very quiet or he would pull over and you would soon be walking home. Eventually he returned to the family farm and for the next 35 years he farmed the ranch at the end of Corda Road, just a couple of miles outside the city of Gonzales.
Upon retirement, Hank treasured his daily coffee shop breakfasts with so many of his lifetime friends. With his strong Swiss heritage, it was not surprising that he never missed any local polenta and stew feeds. In the afternoons you could catch him in his wind protected back yard, sitting (napping) and surrounded by his special orange and apple trees, with a fantastic view of the Santa Lucia Mountains west of town. Every day at around 2:00 pm his humming bird friend would come by and visit with him.
Hank was very supportive of the Gonzales Community. He was a long time member of the Gonzales Booster Club and a lifetime member of the Monterey County Swiss Rifle Club. He was also a member of the Gonzales American Legion, where the Corda and Pisoni families would all gather for their annual Thanksgiving celebration.
By his own admission, he was not a very good student, BUT he was the perfect example of a person who did not have to be a good student in order to be a great teacher. He lived his life by example, and anyone who knew this special man would absolutely attest to that. During the summer months, many local teenagers would work on the ranch and they learned by his example the value of hard work and accountability.
His 100th birthday celebration was extremely limited due to Covid restrictions, however, the honors he received were so special. He received a Monterey County resolution recognizing his service not only to our country but also to his many contributions to Gonzales and Monterey County. Hank also received a resolution from the United States Congress for his service to our country and his contributions to Monterey County and it was read on the floor of Congress and entered into the Congressional Records. In addition to these two prestigious resolutions, he was also honored as one of the Veterans of the Year in Monterey County for the 2020 year.
Hank very much looked forward to his weekly Friday lunches with grandsons Carson and Marshall. They were always just a phone call away for anything and everything he might need.
Hank also liked to tell everyone what a blessing it was to have such a devoted daughter (Valerie) living close to provide him with so much comfort and care.
Butch would deliver a barbequed meal every week and would coordinate that around watching a San Francisco 49er game or Giant game or Warrior game with him. He was easy to cook for as long as you met two conditions – quantity and serve the food nuclear hot.
The last two years of Hank's life he was blessed with the assistance of Yolanda Chavez - she became a very dear and caring friend and would chauffeur him in the mornings to his breakfast at McDonalds.
Special thanks also to Nona Willis for the almost daily delivery of homemade desserts she made for him.
Also a special thanks to Mike Treina for all of his help to Hank in the last couple of years of his life.
In his entire life of 101 plus years, the only time he was substantially away from Gonzales was the four years of his military service to our country.
Hank lived a simple life, but he was definitely not a simplistic person. Amazingly, he was still independent and healthy up to his final month. There will be no more solo nights for him. We can only imagine the joy of him now reuniting with his wife Lucille who preceded him in death by 17 years and his son John by 5 years.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Spartan 300 Club for the Gonzales Hall of Fame c/o Larry Rodriguez – PO Box 1624, Gonzales CA 93926 or to your favorite charity.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Henry Corda, enjoy the eternal peace you now have……Semper Fidelis Henry Corda, Semper Fidelis
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
