Rey Bocanegra

Rey Bocanegra of Riverbank, California, died June 5. He was 59.

Bocanegra was born in San Benito, Texas on Nov. 18, 1954. For the past 14 years, his residence was in Riverbank, California, having moved from Kennewick, Washington, to accept a position as a nuclear engineer at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

He graduated from Salinas High School in 1973. He attended the United States Air force Academy from 1973-1975 and received an honorable discharge. He received two degrees from San Jose State University: a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry in 1983 and a master of science degree in radiological health physics in 1985. His interest in the nuclear field led him to pursue a second master's in nuclear engineering at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1987.

Upon graduating, Bocanegra accepted a position with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Glen Ellen, Illinois. He later accepted a position with the United States Department of Energy, in Richland, Washington. He was frequently a guest speaker at local high schools to encourage students to pursue a career in the sciences. In his spare time, he enjoyed coaching and playing soccer, dancing, riding his motorcycle and traveling with his wife.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rosa Maria; and three sons, Michael (Jessica) of Modesto, California, Albert (Sophea) of Riverbank, California and Gabriel. He is also survived by grandson, Michael Bocanegra Jr. of Pasco, Washington; granddaughters, Isabel Bocanegra of Riverbank, California and Alize and Mikayla Bocanegra of Modesto, California; sisters, Elsa Baum of Lyman, Wyoming, Diana Derichsweiler of Salinas, California and Rosa (Roberto) Gonzales of Hollister, California; brothers, Jose (Baudelia) Bocanegra Jr. of Hollister, California and Rodolfo (Gail) Hernandez of Fife, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Amada Bocanegra Sr. and six other siblings.

The family will receive friends and family for visitation on Thursday, June 12 from 1-9 p.m. with a rosary recital at 7 p.m., all at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Rd. Salinas, CA 93905.

A funeral mass will take place on Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m. at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 240 Calle Cebu, Salinas, CA 93901. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, 850 Abbott St. Salinas, CA 93901.