Victor Araujo

August 22, 1930 - March 7, 2023

Victor Leon Araujo passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Victor leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Maria De Jesus Araujo Arredondo, along with his four children, Victor Araujo, Jr., and, wife, Eleanor, Patricia Araujo-Dozier and husband, Christopher, Leticia Araujo-Perez, and, husband, J. Guadalupe, and Martin Araujo and, wife, Linda. Victor also leaves behind his 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Victor was born in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico and worked in construction in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. He was an avid baseball fan and played for Los Ostioneros de Guaymas in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico. Victor married Maria De Jesus Arredondo in 1959, and they made their life in the Bernal Heights District of San Francisco, California. He led a full and productive life, working as a custodian for companies such as Soule Steel, American Can, and ABS Commercial Building. He was an SEIU shop steward who fought passionately against management advocating for union members. He was self-motivated in that English not being his native tongue, he taught himself how to drive, and bought a home in Bernal Heights in 1964 during racially charged times. Ironically, as a man who taught himself how to drive, he taught his own two sons how to drive, who ended up becoming professional drivers for UPS and USPS.

When we were kids, dad would love to take us to Ocean Beach, San Francisco Zoo, and Playland, where Laughing Sal would terrify us. He would take us to go see Roy Shire’s wrestling and see wrestlers like Andre the Giant, Pat Patterson, and Ray Stevens. He would drive us to Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico during our summertime, and he would drive the whole way of 1442 miles by himself. We would stop by A&W Hamburgers in Yuma, Arizona, which was a childhood favorite.

He was a man who was an early bird, loved his daily morning cup of Folgers coffee, was an avid reader of the SF Chronicle, and loved to listen to his musica Mexicana. He and his wife were devoted members of St. Kevin’s Church in Bernal Heights alongside their sons who were altar boys. He loved the Oakland A’s.

He was a man of integrity and taught his children a strong work ethic. He was also dependable, responsible, and punctual in his matters. He was a social butterfly. He loved to have conversations with people from all different walks of life and thrived in discussing different types of topics. He was always eager to share his point of view regarding topics he would read about. That truly excited him.

He also had his playful side and would not hesitate to sit and watch episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants, Tom & Jerry, and Sanford & Son enjoying a pizza slice from Cortland Avenue’s Pizza Express. He was a devoted husband and father who fiercely loved his children and grandchildren.

Friends may visit Thursday, March 16th, 2023 from 2pm-5pm and are invited to attend a Rosary at 3pm at Driscoll’s Valencia St. Mortuary, 1465 Valencia St. SF, CA 94110. The Funeral Mass will be held the following day, March 17th, 2023 at 12:30PM at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 100 Diamond St, SF, CA 94114. Burial to follow at Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, CA.