The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Oceanside Chamber

BLOG

Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
  • About Us
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
    • Our Work >
      • 2024 Annual Report
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
    • Oceanside Young Professionals
    • Oceanside Leadership Academy
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
      • Pooled Employer Plan
      • Kindness
      • Frontline Friendly
    • Chamber Staff
    • Privacy Policy
  • Membership
    • Member Portal
    • Business Directory >
      • All Categories
      • Coupons
      • New Members
    • Application
    • Testimonials
    • Digital Plaque - Oceanside Chamber Member
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Coastal Business Expo
      • North County Health Fair
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Oceanside Senior Showcase
      • Rising Star Student Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Oceanside Community Events
    • Annual OCC Mixer Passs
  • Media
    • Publications >
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Military Publications
    • Advertising Your Business
    • Member News
    • Blog
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources
    • Sustainability Resources

Justice Gilbert Nares: “Growing up in Oceanside gave me a sense of community”

8/23/2015

 
Picture
Justice Gilbert Nares as a Young Attorney
By Pablo J. Sáinz

Justice Gilbert Nares could be declared an illustrious son of Oceanside.

For almost 40 years, Nares has developed an outstanding career as a judge, including 25 years as justice in the California Court of Appeal. Nares grew up in Oceanside, attended Laurel Elementary, graduated from Oceanside High School, and later received his bachelor’s and his law degree from the University of San Diego.

Justice Nares took a moment to reflect on his time in the courts, but most of all, on his life growing up in Oceanside.
PictureNares as Senior at Oceanside High School
What's the first emotion you feel when you look back at what you have accomplished, and remember you came out of Oceanside's Eastside neighborhood?

When I look back at what I have accomplished and remember growing up in Oceanside's Eastside neighborhood, my first feelings are of happiness and thankfulness.

Our Eastside neighborhood was a great place to grow up because many of our relatives and friends lived within the neighborhood. It was a friendly neighborhood and we were able to walk to school and to the neighborhood park.

Lucy and Marie Chavez and their family operated the Eastside Market, a corner grocery store and I had a great rapport with them. I enjoyed discussing public affairs and politics with them from an early age, beginning in grammar school.

One day when I was about 10 years old, my father was ill and bedridden and required medication from the pharmacy. My mother could not go because she had to take care of my father and my three younger siblings. So she gave me the money, and I walked to McDonald's Pharmacy on Mission Avenue in downtown Oceanside.

After I paid for the medicine, I was at the corner waiting to cross the street when I dropped the glass bottle containing the medication. I was crying and trying to pick up as many pills as I could when a young Marine came up to me and told me not to pick them up because there was too much broken glass among the pills.

I told him my father was very sick and I had spent all the money for the medicine. He told me not to cry, that everything would be okay, that accidents happen, and then he took me back into the pharmacy and paid for more medicine himself.

The young Marine had one stripe on his uniform. I thanked him and walked home. He did not tell me his name. I told my mother what had happened, and she explained that a young Marine did not make much money and the medicine was very expensive. |

Not only were we grateful for his generosity, but, as a result, I have never forgotten that act of kindness and have always viewed the Marine Corps in a very positive light. He did not have to help a child and gave up what was a big part of his pay to do so.

Your family has a long history in Oceanside. Can you comment on your family's ties to Oceanside?

During the Mexican Revolution, amid the chaos of war, my paternal great-grandparents (Camilo and Maria) told their four adult sons to immigrate to the United States for a better future for themselves and their families. The four immigrated to the United States around 1915. After finding work and saving some money, they sent for their families.

My great-grandfather advised the four brothers to stay together and never to return to Mexico. My grandfather and one of his brothers took his advice, but the other two brothers returned to Mexico with promises from the Mexican government of land and equipment to farm. The promises turned out to be false, and when they tried to return to return to the United States, they could not because they had given up their lawful resident status in the United States when they returned to Mexico.

My great-grandfather, my grandfather (who was born in 1877) and his brothers were all from Purepero, Michoacan.

Around 1918-1920, my grandparents and their children settled in Oceanside, as did my grandfather's brother, Juan. My parents also made their home there, and they were all lifetime members of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Oceanside.

My siblings and I all attended public schools in Oceanside from kindergarten through high school. I live in Oceanside now, as I have my entire life.

Some of my fondest memories of Oceanside include going to the beach as a family, attending the annual rodeo at Camp Pendleton, and participating in the summer day camps sponsored by the City of Oceanside at community parks throughout the city. 

How did growing up in Oceanside influence you as a person, as a professional?

My parents, Zeferino and Dancy Nares, had high expectations for each of us—for me, my sister Linda, and my brothers Charles and Richard. We were expected to attend church, study and do our school homework and, of course, be well behaved.

They encouraged us to read and I still remember my first library card from the Oceanside Public Library when I was in grammar school. Indeed, my first job while I was in high school was as a library page (shelving books etc.).

As a young lawyer I was privileged to serve on the Board Of Trustees of the Oceanside Public Library. Growing up in Oceanside gave me a sense of community; a community to which I belonged.

Exactly how many years do you have as a judge?

On January 17, 2016, I will have served 40 years as a trial judge and Justice of the Court of Appeal. I was appointed to the Court of Appeal by Governor George Deukmejian and to both the Superior Court and Municipal Court by Governor Jerry Brown.

In these years, what would you consider your biggest accomplishment?

The opportunity I had to practice law in the community and thereafter serve as a justice and judge. Public service is both an honor and responsibility.

They've called you a "no-nonsense judge." Where did you think you got that quality from?

Just the facts and the law.

In a 2001 San Diego Union-Tribune article, you said you planned to continue as a judge for another decade. It's been 14 years since that. How does your future look? What plans to do you have?

I find my work fulfilling, interesting, and challenging. I like going to work every day. There is always a new issue of law that needs to be decided, cases that need to be reviewed, analyzed and decided, and I work with many talented professionals, including judicial assistants, clerks, lawyers and justices. It is never boring. My health is good, so I am not planning to retire anytime soon.

In that same article you thanked the Lord for all your blessings. What role does your faith play in your job as a justice?

I developed and learned my values and moral code from my family and faith. One of my core beliefs is that all persons are created equal and must be treated equally and with respect, that we are all accountable for our conduct, and thus, no one is above the law.

What should Latinos, especially the new generations, know about you?

They also can achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams if they study regularly, behave properly, and plan for the future. The fun will come all along the way.

Picture
Justice Nares Today.
Adam Riojas link
8/23/2015 07:22:45 am

Wow! Powerful witness of what a person can accomplish!!!

John Daley
8/24/2015 02:50:42 am

Oceanside is proud of our home grown attorney, Justice Gilbert Nares and all of his accomplishments.

VICKIE TAYLOR ENGLAND
8/25/2015 03:32:58 am

I am not proud to say I appeared before Judge Nares in the middle 70s. He amazed me in his strong firm conviction of my act, with understanding and compassion. He gave me a huge break in my punishment aware of my humiliation in that room full of watchers. I have not nor will I ever forget him for his fairness and wisdom in his decision.

Scott Ashton link
8/25/2015 08:57:53 am

Vickie,
Thank you for sharing that. It's very cool to hear the appreciation that you have for Justice Nares!

Art Rios (Gabriel Gonzales & Maria N Gonzales)
8/26/2015 06:13:25 am

My Mom (Natalie) always spoke highly of your accomplishments & the day she attended your swearing in to the Justice System. I still remember your brown car parked at the Archer Street & Mission with the license plate G Nares.......

Continued good health and many more beach sunsets.

Dennis Huckabay
9/1/2015 10:24:04 am

Why have we been proud of Oceanside all these years? Because so many of our friends and families in every walk of life have made it ever better, none more so than Gilbert Nares.

Ken & Donna Reed
9/1/2015 10:46:59 am

Just wanted to say hi. So proud of you. It is so nice of Audrey to help everybody in Oceanside to keep in contact.

Lee Bouterse Davis
9/2/2015 02:50:29 pm


In High School Gilbert was my biggest competition in English class whether he knew it or not. I was motivated to read many of the classics so I could have intellectual sounding Book Reports to keep up with him. Thanks for the motivation!

Doug Gumm
9/3/2015 01:10:07 am

As a freshman at OHS I attended the same PE class as Gilbert. We would form a long line waiting for the Coach to call roll. While waiting, Gilbert and Joe Augeri would attempt to engage in an intellectual discussion while I would disrupt their conversation with some teasing remarks. I recall Gilbert raising his voice in disgust "Gumm you ignoramus!". I still chuckle when I think of this. I deserved the remark and have always tried to live down to my title. Gilbert went on to do great things as I always believed he would even in 1958. I am very proud of Gilbert's standing as an Oceanside native son. I have run into him many times when he is out to dinner with sister Linda (a good friend of mine) and her husband Andy. It's always good to see him.

Vicky Settle Wright
8/4/2020 09:02:11 am

Happy to see you had a great career. Nice to see you "home." Here's to a happy new chapter in your life. Vicky

Pinkham & Associates link
7/6/2022 12:52:17 pm

There is always a new issue of law that needs to be decided, cases that need to be reviewed, analyzed and decided, Thank you, amazing post!

Moshtael Family Law link
7/6/2022 01:36:04 pm

The opportunity I had to practice law in the community and thereafter serve as a justice and judge. Thank you for the beautiful post!

Ken & Donna Reed
7/14/2022 12:22:01 pm

It's so good to hear from you.
The best years were when Ken practiced law with you, Nick, and Bill. Life was so much easier.

Donna


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy
    Arts And Culture
    Business
    Camp Pendleton
    Community
    Education
    Emerging Issues
    Entertainment
    Events
    Finance
    Health And Wellness
    History Of Oceanside
    Home
    Military
    Photo Blogs
    Political Action
    Resources
    Restaurants
    Ribbon Cuttings
    Senior Living
    Technology
    Visit Oceanside
    Women
    Workforce Development

    Archives

    June 2025
    March 2025
    December 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

928 N. Coast Highway | Oceanside, CA 92054
760-722-1534 | [email protected]
Copyright © 2025 Oceanside Chamber of Commerce

Privacy Policy | Map/Directions
Picture
  • About Us
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
    • Our Work >
      • 2024 Annual Report
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
    • Oceanside Young Professionals
    • Oceanside Leadership Academy
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
      • Pooled Employer Plan
      • Kindness
      • Frontline Friendly
    • Chamber Staff
    • Privacy Policy
  • Membership
    • Member Portal
    • Business Directory >
      • All Categories
      • Coupons
      • New Members
    • Application
    • Testimonials
    • Digital Plaque - Oceanside Chamber Member
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Coastal Business Expo
      • North County Health Fair
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Oceanside Senior Showcase
      • Rising Star Student Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Oceanside Community Events
    • Annual OCC Mixer Passs
  • Media
    • Publications >
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Military Publications
    • Advertising Your Business
    • Member News
    • Blog
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources
    • Sustainability Resources