Juan de Dios Gutierrez, a father of four and dairy worker who milked cows at the Giacomini Ranch for 16 years, died peacefully in his sleep during the early-morning hours of Dec. 29, at his home in Tomales. He was 45 years old.

He leaves behind his wife, mother and four children—two sons, ages 19 and 17, and two daughters, 16 and 9.

“He came here to get a better future for himself,” said his oldest son, Christopher Gutierrez. “To chase the American Dream.”

Originally from Jalos, Mexico, Juan came to West Marin when he was around 17. Soon after, while in Petaluma, he met his wife, Eva, of 20 years. They raised their four children on the West Marin ranches where Juan worked, milking cows every day.

“It’s a hard job, and he did it for a long time,” said Bob Giacomini, who owns the Giacomini Ranch, where Juan worked for 16 years.

Often, Juan was kept so busy by his work that he would forget even to shower or change clothes, Mr. Giacomini said. “He was always here on the job, and on time, too. Very good, very honest and reliable guy. Likable guy.” 

In recent years Juan worked as the head milker at the Moretti Family Dairy, outside Tomales. On a routine day, he would work two separate shifts: the first from 2 to 6 a.m., and the second from 1:30 to 5 p.m. 

“He was a great, great employee,” said Mike Moretti, who co-owns the dairy with his wife, Monique. “Great husbandry skills. He knew every single cow by sight and by number, and he treated them like they were his own.”

During his time in West Marin, Juan was a well-known and beloved member of the community. Those who knew him recalled that he never could stand the sight of seeing anybody sad—so, to lighten the mood, he always joked.

“He would always try to make you laugh,” said Edith Rojas, who works at Wells Fargo in Point Reyes Station and whose father was a good friend of Mr. Gutierrez. “Everyone loved him.”

Juan was also a devout Catholic. Although his work often prevented him from attending morning mass, he always wore the escapulario, a pendant signifying his devotion to the Virgin Mary in  her manifestation as the Virgin of Carmel. 

“He was very spiritual,” said Dolores Gonzales, a former volunteer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Olema, where Juan and his family attended before moving closer to Tomales. “All of his kids made the sacraments here, and he would be there for the special occasions.”

 

Those wanting to support the Gutierrez family’s long-term family savings fund may make donations through an account set up by the Point Reyes Station Wells Fargo branch, where an account has been set up for Juan’s son, Christopher Gutierrez, nicknamed “Dad’s Funds.”  The account number is 8133511306. Funds may also be transferred online through Wells Fargo SurePay.