Miguel Mendoza

Miguel Mendoza, 92, a resident of the Hillsboro community passed away Thursday afternoon, August 21, 2014 at his home.

Rosary and Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday August 29, 2014 at St Matthew Catholic Church; 447 SE 3rd Ave in Hillsboro

Rite of Christian Burial will take place following the Mass held at St Matthew Catholic Cemetery on Rood Bridge Rd. in Hillsboro.

Miguel was born on February 25, 1922 in Orlanda, Michoacán Mexico. He was one of fourteen children born to Fidel and Adelaida (Barragan) Mendoza. He raised in San Jose de Chila where he met his future wife Rafaela Aguilar and married in 1946. Miguel and his family moved to the United States in 1967 settling in Stockton, CA and then to North Plains in 1968. They lived in the general area until they bought their home in Hillsboro in 1971.

Miguel started working as a laborer in the local fields in and around Washington Co. He was always working and always had a job to support his family. Miguel was a custodian for Pacific University and Lewis & Clarke College. He retired in the early 1990's.

Miguel loved animals especially horses and bulls. He was also an avid gardener and liked to raise roses. H e was a quiet man that had a strong Catholic faith and strong connection with his family and grandchildren who thought of him as "the pillar of the family"

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings

Survivors include his loving wife; Rafaela, four children and their spouses; Hortencia and James Figueroa of Aloha, Valeria and Jon Thomason of Aloha, Rafael and Isabell Mendoza of Hillsboro, Fidel Mendoza of Hillsboro, eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.