Gilbert Rizalla was Vietnam War vet

DOWNEY - Gilbert P. Rizalla, born Jan. 8, 1945 in Los Angeles, passed away suddenly on Aug. 14 at the age of 65. He was a longtime resident of Downey.Rizalla graduated from Centennial High School in Compton in 1963 and married his childhood sweetheart, Frances, on Sept. 11, 1965. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966-68 and fought in the Vietnam War. He worked for 28 years in the construction business as a truck driver and retired in 1997 at the age of 52. Rizalla was a lifetime member of VFW Post 1732 and a member of the board of the Downey Moose Lodge 663 as an Inner Guard. His hobbies included camping, bowling, trips to Laughlin and working on his '57 Chevy. He is survived by his wife, Frances; daughters, Mona, Priscilla, Sophia and Mary; son-in-laws, Richard, Matt, Sergio and Robert; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; mother-in-law, Esther Garcia; brother-in-law, Mike Garcia; sister-in-law, Celia Myers; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a grandson, Richard Jr. Rizalla was buried with military honors at Resurrection Cemetery following a Mass at St. Raymond's Catholic Church. Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary was handling services.

********** Published: August 19, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 18