Gregory Martin Valero was born on January 30, 1945 in San Diego, California to parents Esmeralda Guerra Valero and Geronimo Valero. He had five sisters and one brother and grew up with many cousins nearby. After graduating from Sweetwater High School in 1962, Greg enlisted in the marines and did three tours in Vietnam. He was force recon and was injured, hospitalized, honorably discharged and the recipient of a Purple Heart.

Greg went on to graduate from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders. He then went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Communications. He worked his way through college as a tailor and salesman at Goodman’s in downtown SD. After graduation, he worked as a speech pathologist for SD County at the Pala Indian Reservation and, ultimately, for the Chula Vista Elementary School District. He retired as a principal in Chula Vista.

He enjoyed helping others, whether it be in big or small ways. For example, he never hesitated to hire men from halfway houses to help him out with home projects. He used it as an opportunity to encourage them to choose a better way of life and teach them skills they could use to move forward. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Lion’s Club for periods of time. As a member of the Bonita Lion’s Club, he/they had a booth at the annual Bonitafest where he would prep and grill pounds and pounds of carne asada for all to enjoy!

Speaking of… Greg appreciated really good food and was a great cook of all cuisines. This was strongly influenced by his mother who loved to cook and also owned a restaurant in the Gaslamp District of San Diego. He had an immense appreciation of music, especially jazz and Motown. More often than not, you’d find him jamming out to vinyl records or CDs while cooking a recipe he knew by heart or while creating something new and delicious. Greg was an active guy who loved dancing, tennis, skiing and fishing. He enjoyed restoring old Porsches and driving them around town. He loved teaching his daughters everything they’d need to become self-sufficient and well rounded. This included cooking, sports, learning how to change oil, learning how to use tools to build different projects, showing them how to put an awesome outfit together (he certainly had style!), and how to always believe in themselves. Greg had a never ending zest for life, always welcomed family and friends warmly with a smile, and loved jokes and laughter. His bright light left us when he went up to Heaven on August 7, 2022.

Greg is survived by his wife, Norma Castillo; daughters, Shea (O’Keefe), Lauren (Balben) and Lindsey (Sadenwasser); sons-in-law, Ian O’Keefe, Craig Balben and Joel Sadenwasser; stepson, Alan Rojas; seven grandchildren, Ella, Kian, Alene, Aidan, Elijah, Jack and Tristan; and sisters, Carmen Tamayo, Sr. Felicia Sarati and Judy Tisdale. He was preceded in death by his parents, Esmeralda and Geronimo; his sisters, Anita Yonekura and Sr. (Else) Carmen Sarati; and his brother, William Sarati.

A celebration of Greg’s life will take place at 10:30am on Friday, September 23, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlsbad with a reception immediately following. At 3pm, there will be an interment of ashes with military honors at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation on Greg’s behalf to the Wounded Warrior Project →https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ 

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