The Rev. Hector Villegas of Newman passed away March 1 at 48 years of age.
Rev. Hector Villegas
He was pastor at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Newman, where he had served since July 2007.
The Rev. Villegas was known for serving the parish with compassion and devotion, a spiritual leader whose own life was guided by his deep faith.
He was born and raised in Tijuana, where he was surrounded by many friends and enjoyed childhood adventures with his older sister Patricia.
He had a lifelong passion for exercise, and through adulthood could often be found working out at a gym.
His participation in a youth ministry camp inspired him to become a priest.
After graduating from the Tijuana Diocese Seminary with a degree in philosophy, the Rev. Villegas came to California in 1998 as a seminarian at St. Jude’s parish in Ceres. He attended St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo and St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park before being ordained June 29, 2002, by Bishop Stephen Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation.
The Rev. Villegas served at St. Stanislaus in Modesto from 2002 to 2007, serving as a parochial vicar and later administrator pro tem.
He is survived by his mother, Evangelina Villegas of San Diego; and two sisters, Patricia Hernandez of Chula Vista and Adriana Quiroz Villegas of San Diego.
Visitation was Wednesday at 5 p.m. at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, with liturgy services at 7:30.
A funeral service will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be in Tijuana.