“Santa Paula lost a great man yesterday with the passing of Jess Victoria,” City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz wrote on the city Blog Friday. “While I did not always agree with him, it is hard not to respect a man with a city organization chart in the window of his shop with the people on the top and the city manager,” noted Bobkiewicz, “on the bottom.”Robert Borrego said his longtime friend had declined since the death of his wife last year. “Jess is now resting,” Borrego noted, “but he left us with many pleasant memories about his love for Santa Paula and his warmth and deep loyalty to his friends.”There will be an article with more information on Jess’ life in the Friday edition of the Santa Paula Times.
Jess Victoria: First Grand Marshal of Labor Day Parade dies
May 13, 2009
Santa Paula News
Jess Victoria, outspoken and opinionated, loyal to his friends as well as to his beliefs, and the first Grand Marshal of Santa Paula’s Labor Parade passed away Thursday, May 7, 2009.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesJess Victoria, outspoken and opinionated, loyal to his friends as well as to his beliefs, and the first Grand Marshal of Santa Paula’s Labor Parade passed away Thursday, May 7, 2009. It is believed that Jess, a native Santa Paulan, was 84 years old at the time of his death, which followed a sudden illness.Jess, a longtime East Main Street merchant, made his Victoria’s Shoes a hub of discussion often centered on local politics. His regular appearances before the City Council were often controversial, ranging from his public remarks that members learn to deal with criticism to multiple appearances after he was cited for an outdoor display violation that led to the changing of the city’s municipal code.
