Emilio Reyes Dies at 81; Worked Way Up Ranks at North Island in Civil Service

Emilio Reyes—a civil service veteran at North Island who worked his way up through the ranks and retired after 35 years—died March 15 at home, said a U-T San Diego obituary.

He was 81.

Reyes was a major donor to the San Diego Blood Bank and member of the 20 Gallon Club.

“But of all his leisure activity nothing could top going to the Charger games with his children,” said the obituary. “He was a fan through thick and thin, a regular season ticket holder, the original generation of fans who sat on cement bleachers at Balboa Stadium, roared to the boom of the cannon after field goals and touchdowns, [stood] and cheered as a medieval charger mounted on a white horse circled the field after another thrilling score.”

A celebration of his life and memorial Mass is set for 10 a.m. March 27 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 3585 30th St., followed by graveside services at Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Ave.