jimcallard - 1-17-2013 at 04:14 PM
The owner of the Loreto book store (El Caballo Blanco), Alberto (Betto) Perez, passed away in the early morning of the 16th. He died of a heart
attack.
Many of his friends spent the last couple of days getting all the documents to have his body sent to La Paz and he will be cremated and the ashes sent
back to Loreto. Meanwhile, his wife, Jeannine, has the loving support of all her friends who have been with her.
A little background from the editors of the Nov-Dec 2012 Chubasco, put out by the Vagabundos RV Club:
Betto had a trucking business in Illinois. There at the grain elevators, he met his wife of 33 years, Jeannine. She is a retired teacher with a PhD
in art therapy, who taught at Illinois State University. Then they moved to Los Lunas, New Mexico, where she taught at Federal and State levels on
Native American reservations to special needs youngsters. When she decided to retire from that, they decided to move to Baja seven years ago. They
came with a U-Haul truck and camper and a pickup filled with books and rented the place where the bookstore is.
The El Caballo Blanco bookstore Betto and Jeannine Perez created was an important place for seminars and forums and a gathering place for friends,
many of whom settle down for relaxed reading and purchasing of interesting books to take home. There are also classes in printing and the arts too.
Betto and Jeannine also obtained children’s books in Spanish and classroom supplies for local kids in need. They recently had author Graham Mackintosh
and Tom Woodard at the bookstore to discuss books on Baja.
Special people in a special place in Baja. Betto will be missed.
DENNIS - 1-17-2013 at 04:43 PM
Special people indeed.
DEP Beto.
Loretana - 1-17-2013 at 05:26 PM
Thank you, Jim.
Beto was a charming and eloquent man, and he will be missed by many!
Mulegena - 1-17-2013 at 06:22 PM
Condolences and my best wishes to the family and loved ones.
My own life here in Baja has been enriched by the presence of the bookstore. I'll continue to patronize it on my visits to Loreto.
BajaBlanca - 1-17-2013 at 06:32 PM
RIP Betto
We just drove by it the other day and I made a note to self to stop by next time.
ElCap - 1-17-2013 at 08:48 PM
I always stopped by to visit him when I was in Loreto, and I always found him sitting in his easy chair there in the bookstore, happy to chat about
whatever was on his mind. It was something I always looked forward to. Best wishes to his family - he will be missed by many.
rhintransit - 1-17-2013 at 09:41 PM
Beto was a Loreto icon, a fine man, a wonderful husband, a friend to all. he will be missed by many.
Mula - 1-18-2013 at 06:44 AM
Church mass for Beto Perez will be Sunday, January 20th at noon in Loreto at Nuestra Senora Church (Mission Church on Salvatierra).
Everyone is welcomed to attend.
rufflife - 1-18-2013 at 01:58 PM
My condolences to his family and friends.
I always make a point to stop at the bookstore whenever I pass through Loreto. Though I never got to spend enough time in Loreto to really get to
know Beto, I have had many fun and interesting conversations with him. It was fun to talk to someone who got as excited as I was about the books I
was looking at/for. I will be sure to stop in next month and offer my personal condolences.
Thank you for posting this news!
Graham - 1-18-2013 at 11:04 PM
Jeannine and Beto, Loreto - March 2012
How very sad. Agree with everything said. Beto was a wonderful character and a true gentleman. Jeannine and Beto always made me so very welcome there
at the bookstore.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Jeannine.
GregN - 1-19-2013 at 08:41 AM
I'm so sorry. I was looking forward to seeing him again when I visit in May. He will be missed. My sincere condolences. Greg
Mula - 1-27-2013 at 06:09 AM
Was there ever an official Obit published anywhere for Beto?
Marc - 1-27-2013 at 08:54 AM
A very charming man. We had a nice talk when I was in his shop a few years ago. Ran into him again later that evening at a restaurant.
Phil S - 1-27-2013 at 05:15 PM
We first met them when they arrived in Loreto. Beto was a great asset for Loreto. And needless to say also is Jeanine. Beto was too young to leave
this earth. May his soul rest in peace. Jeanine. If your reading these posts, we will be down next November, on our way down to Cabo, and got a huge
hug for you.
Phil & Wendy from Oregon. formerly, Nopolo