W e e k l y COLTON COURIER Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!
Vol 144, NO. 19
THIS WEEK Gloria’s Corner and Words To Think About A3 & A5
Dominick Gallegos laid to rest, hundreds show support
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By Anthony Victoria
oel Gallegos recounted the joyous moments he had with his son Dominick in the boy’s short life. He told the community at the Colton First Assembly Church last Thursday that his only son was always eager to make people happy.
Cinco de Mayo Special A9
Dominick cont. on next page
he Colton Mercuries baseball team and Colton High School star basketball player Thomas Williams were inducted into the city’s Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Gonzales Center on April 22.
“I’m glad it has come to do this,” said baseball historian Mel Salazar. “It was a lot of work but it was worth it.”
PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
Illisa Gallegos, 20, speaking about her brother Dominick Gallegos during his funeral service on April 21.
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Salazar said the Mercuries were an institution in Colton–one that provided Chicanos with a means to promote self-determination and cultural pride. He said these men were trailblazers for others.
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The Mercuries (also spelled as Mercurys in the past) were based out of South Colton, the former segregated portion of the city. Many of the young Mexican American (or Chicano) men in the neighborhood gathered during weekends and played against rival teams from Ontario, Pomona, Riverside, and San Bernardino at a small park on N Street and La Cadena Avenue, and later at South Colton Park (present day Veterans Park).
Alumni of the team include 1954 Little League World Series finalist Danny Carrasco and former Major League Baseball player Camilo Carreon. Many of the team’s former members and their families were in attendance on Friday--the oldest member being 92-year-old Socorro Rosales.
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Mercuries baseball team, Colton star Tom Williams inducted into Sports Hall of Fame
By Anthony Victoria
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Calendar Classifieds Legal Notices Opinion Calendar Sports
April 28, 2016
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“He was such a good boy,” Gallegos said with tears in his eyes. “[God] gave us the best possible son he could give us. We’re going to miss you mijo. Everyday, but we’ll see you again.”
Dominick Gallegos, 12, collapsed and died on the grounds of Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School the afternoon of April 12. Bernardino County San Coroner’s officials ruled that the sixth-grade student passed away from natural causes due to an enlarged heart. In the last two weeks residents in Colton have gathered to hold vigils and fundraiser events in support of
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A memorial set up for Dominick Gallegos.
PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
“They’ve come a long way. I did this because I didn’t want people to forget about this ball club,” Salazar explained. “I’m so happy Sports cont. on next page