Gilbert Pacheco

Gilbert F. Pacheco (59) born August 24, 1962, passed away November 16, 2021, at the family home in Pine Canyon - Tooele, UT after a long battle with liver cancer.

The 7th of twelve children of Reuben and Josefa M. Pacheco, Gilbert lived an adventurous life from the 60’s & 70’s - as one friend recalled “with long hair, platform shoes and silk shirts” - into the 80’s & 90’s listening to the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd and whatever he could get on a walkman or eight-track tape. After graduating from Tooele High School in 1980, Gilbert lived in Idaho for a while and got to travel to Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, and worked hard with concrete and foundation forming for several large facilities in Utah, Nevada and Hawaii. In early 1994 Gilbert took a big jump from Hawaii, layed over for a bit in Tooele, then flew to New York getting to experience the Twin Towers and Niagara Falls making for a special memory for him.  All along, Gilbert followed his dad’s example and was skilled in carpentry with a twist of plumbing and perfected the trait of “fixing anything” in his own macgyver way with duct tape or bailing wire - including his finger tips that were frequently wrapped in grey duct tape.

Sensitive and private in many ways, Gilbert was the proud father of daughter Brandy and son Mikkah, both of which he loved very much along with his six grandchildren and extended loved ones. Gilbert was fortunate to spend time with and raise Mikkah. He taught him and shared many things with him and did his best to provide him with the necessities a young boy would need or want.  They often went to the movies, camping, fishing, swimming, Jazz games and other special events. Their bond is so strong, Mikkah is more than the world to Gilbert and they will have that love eternally.

Gilbert was also known to be a peace maker that loved to invite family or friends to quick trip fishing at the dam in Tooele or to the family home for a late night bon fire that was sure to end with howling at the moon.

Cancer took a toll on Gilbert and in August of 2021 he made the tough decision to go on hospice with a very positive outlook and soon got to experience great love and support from family, hospice professionals and special friends Tom and Marky and cousin Dean that visited frequently keeping his spirits high. He also got a surprise vacation to New Mexico, went to a KISS concert and met Gene Simmons, then went skydiving where he responded to questions about jumping out of plane with “I’m going out in style”.

Gilbert is survived by his mother Josefa Pacheco, daughter Brandy (Chris) Sorensen and son Mikkah Pacheco along with siblings George (Anita), Dennis, Kathy (Johnny) Archuleta, Maryann, Jeffrey, Daniel, Janet (Chris) Trujillo, Rowena, Christy (Jeff) Salandi and Ruby. Father, Reuben and brother James "Jimi" preceded Gilbert in death. He will be missed by family and countless aunts/uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at St. Marguerites Catholic Church, 15 East 7th Street, Tooele, UT at 3:00 pm Sunday, November 21, 2021 followed by an open house for family and friends at the Dow James building. His final resting place will be with his Grandfather in Taos, New Mexico at a later date.