Gary Pesek passed away suddenly and peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2024, in his car at Artisan Court in Santa Barbara where he resided.

Gary was a Santa Barbara native born on Aug. 2, 1951. Gary lived a life full of love, family and good friends. He was well known in the community, and he enjoyed taking daily walks to local businesses, restaurants and stores. No matter where Gary went, either walking or driving, he would always run into somebody he knew and they would talk about the good times they had as kids growing up in Santa Barbara. 

Gary was very knowledgeable of the history of Santa Barbara, and he loved to share his knowledge and stories with his friends and family. Gary attended local elementary school,  Santa Barbara Jr. High and graduated from Santa Barbara High School.

Gary was a hard worker; he often worked two jobs daily for many years at local businesses as a custodian, lead custodian and supervisor, and managed his own cleaning company and was a cashier/clerk at 7-11 on Cliff Drive and at Cottage Hospital as an Environmental Services Technician for 10 years, but had to retire due to severe medical problems with his heart and lungs.

Gary’s favorite holidays were Thanksgiving, Christmas and his birthday. He looked forward to going over to his mother-in-law, Emily’s house for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas day brunch. His birthday always fell during the week of “Old Spanish Days” aka Fiesta.  He  would always attend the Fiesta parade and go to El Mercado at De La Guerra plaza after the parade and buy a tri-tip sandwich. Gary loved his family, worked hard to support his family and never gave up until his bad health killed him.

During his life he endured the passing of his sister Linda Ebrahimi, his mother Norma Villa, his stepfather Lupe Villa, his grandmother Helen Suarez, and many aunts and uncles.  He is survived by his wife Bonnie Pesek, his daughter Gloria Jimenez (Jessie), his son Justin Pesek, stepdaughter Amber Brown, his half-sister Rita Villa Danchuk, his grandchildren, Jessica and Michael Jimenez, Sasha Holcomb-Pesek, Jonathan Zaragoza, and the twins Stevie and Miracle Howard, and by many nieces and nephews. Gary is deeply missed by his family and friends. There are no services planned at this time.