Who is Welo?
Our brand is not that new, although you might have just recently learned about us. Guess you could say Welowela began almost 92 years ago! Really!
Our Abuelo, affectionally called Welo, was born on August 9, 1932, in Chino, California. The youngest of nine children, born to Luisa and Joaquin Ruiz was destined to make his mark.
He was the surprise birthday present promised to his older sister Maria. Rumor has it she wanted something else for her birthday. The Ruiz’s were a well to do family and at the time operated the largest grocery store in town. All of that changed on the evening of Abuelo’s birth. Numerous family members and friends gathered to celebrate and toast Joaquin and Luisa on their newest addition. The detail of unpaid insurance on the grocery store had not crossed anyone’s mind. Insurance back then was collected monthly by a traveling agent. He was told to return in the morning to collect the premium. That evening, the store burnt to the ground, leaving the family penniless. Abuelo would frequently say, “I didn’t know what poor was, I had never known anything else.” Welo might not have had shoes that fit, or clothing that was new and pressed, but he did have the love and warmth of his parents and numerous brothers and sisters who loved him deeply.
Abuelo attended the local public school which was segregated. It wasn’t always the most positive experience. He was frequently sent outside to sweep the playground, which he enjoyed, because he felt awkward in the classroom. The white kids would chase him because he was Mexican, and the Mexican kids would chase him because he sometimes played with the white kids. The teachers would ask him where his shoes were, and he’d pretend he didn’t speak English, and therefore not have to answer.
He’d go barefoot to school, so that he could save his shoes for Church. Eventually Welo became known as the friendly brown kid who was strong, and athletic. Soon it didn’t matter if he was Mexican or not. He made lifelong friends, all of whom are now gone. When he would reminisce, one friend was often mentioned by Abuelo. Dingy. Yes, Dingy, his best buddy, who drove through The Grapevine, or Ridge Route as it was called then, to Martinez, in a Model-A Ford which Welo rebuilt himself at just 14 years of age.
The nickname “Yellow Rims,” was born, because his little car had yellow rims for the tires. Crossing the Grapevine with Dingy was no small feat at just 15, but it HAD to be done. You see he had fallen head-over-heels-in-love with Abuela, who at only 14 years old, had been sent to Martinez to care for her older sister.
So of course, Abuelo took it in his head to drive North in a Model- A Ford, with Dingy, and a bag of burritos.
The same fearless determination which helped him cross The Grapevine at 15 was the same determination which led him to find work. Work anywhere was all he wanted. Still a young teenager he’d milk cows with his brother Chewy, pick peaches and corn, sack 20-pound bags of potatoes, and chuck them into the back of a pick-up truck for hours on end. Exhausted from work he’d walk home or hitch a ride with other workers to get home. Upon arriving, his muscle cramps were so severe that his mom would help him undress and get ready for a bath as he peered at her from behind a face caked with dust and grime. Never complaining, he’d tuck away his money because as he would say,” I was gonna make it.” After snagging a job at Pomona Pumps he felt very sure that he could support a wife and started working full time. He dropped out of High School his Senior year and proposed to Abuela. They were wed at Our of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Ontario, California on January 27,1951.
They settled in Chino for a short while and welcomed their first child a little over a year later. When visiting family in Martinez, California they were completely taken with the little town by the bay. Then and there they decided to stay and make a go of it if work could be found. Abuelo found work at an oil company, Tidewater Oil, and loading up their little car and baby, they moved to Martinez. His first job was that of a laborer. He would do anything, and work any overtime offered, to save enough to buy with cash, their first house. Abuelo’s’ reputation as a hard worker and perfectionist, earned him promotions and accolades. After welcoming their second child, they purchased their first home, a run-down 2-bedroom 2 bath house in Concord, on Stanford and the Alameda. Their excitement knew no bounds, “It has hardwood floors,” they exclaimed, and they worked tirelessly every evening when Abuelo got home remodeling and landscaping their little treasure. Abuelo worked side jobs with building contractors. Seeing his eagerness to learn they willingly helped him succeed in the building industry, and soon he became an accomplished carpenter. After selling their first home and making a decent profit, they decided that with Abuelo’s knew found knowledge they could build their own home. They purchased a lot and built their first home. After that they never looked back. Building and selling homes was lucrative and, they forged ahead, becoming financially secure. Meanwhile their brood continued to grow, and Abuelo continued to test for better jobs in order to advance at the refinery. He earned his way into Lower Manager of Operations. After 36 years at the refinery and six kids later along with several grandkids, Abuelo retired at 54. Hang on, he wasn’t done just yet! He purchased a liquor store which he ran successfully with Abuela and his sons for 10 years. “I was gonna make it,” he’d say, and make it he did. Everything he put his hand to with the grace of God, was successful. Even with all this activity, success, and the continued growth of his ever-growing family, he never forgot the Church and labored many hours to serve the poor through time, talent, and resource. Well into his 70’s he bent his back and lent his strength helping his children and numerous family members with their DIY projects. He’d pour cement, lay brick, pour stem walls, frame houses, pick grapes and olives, and make wine. Anyone needing a hand he never refused.
Certainly, the successes of his own children and grandchildren, are because they stood on the shoulders of their dad, and Abuelo.
Abuelo’s life slowed down considerably at 80. He now lived in a retirement community with Abuela. Even then he poured his own cement to make sidewalks and steppingstones. His own grandchildren and great grandchildren played endless hours in his “Secret Garden,” taking delight in the landscaping, and abundant flowers.
Now in his late 80’s early 90’s he was faced with the greatest challenge of all, his diagnosis of Stage 4 Cancer. He accepted it, not without much emotion. “I’m gonna beat this,” he’d say. He still so desperately wanted to live and see all the little “nietos,” (grandkids) and great grands, grow and have families of their own. Being able to see grandkids married and having their own did become a reality, but it was now time to say goodbye.
Medicine too has its limits and no matter the treatment or visits or dinners shared with his children who were his constant visitors, he said his “Goodbye,” surrounded by so many who loved him, too numerous to count. The soft muffled prayer of the Rosary, and the continuous soothing hum of numerous litanies, carried our Abuelo home to Paradise. He said he was “Gonna make it.” Make it he did, on April 16, 2024 he leapt into the arms of his God and His Most Holy Mother, whom he had served so well on earth.
In closing, we’d like to share this prayer with you that our Abuelo recited at every wedding, meal, or other celebration. Perhaps it will serve as a reminder for you, of the beauty of life, regardless of its ups and downs.
In the end, “We’re gonna make it,” with an example like his, how could we not.
