Gregory Allan Pimentel, aged 65, of Marina, CA, passed away on November 15, 2025, in Monterey, CA, after a short illness. Gregory was born on December 5, 1959, in San Jose, CA, to Carl and Charlotte Pimentel. Being born close to the ocean instilled a lifelong love of the water, and whether he was sailing on it, photographing the coastline and its wildlife, or scuba diving beneath the surface, Gregory cherished every aspect of the ocean.

Gregory spent his early years in Monterey before moving to Fremont, CA, where he graduated from Irvington High School in 1978. He went on to earn a degree in electronics technology from Ohlone College in 1981. In celebration of these accomplishments, he took a road trip, “USA-Tour” in a hand-painted VW van, seeing many parts of the country west of the Mississippi.

Throughout his life, Gregory explored multiple career paths, from modeling and acting to engineering. He blended his technical expertise with his natural charm in roles in maintenance and property management, supporting The Santa Catalina School in Monterey as well as Capital Insurance Group, where he took pride in improving the facilities and serving the needs of those around him. He later leaned further into his personal passions, launching several small businesses as both a handyman and a photographer, creating work that reflected his creativity, craftsmanship, and love for helping others.

An adventurer at heart, Gregory found joy in exploring the outdoors in every form. He crewed on multiple open-water sails from the Bay Area to San Diego and Mexico, often recounting the story of preparing a Christmas dinner of canned ham and pineapple for his fellow crew members. He spent countless hours scuba diving and discovering the beauty of Monterey Bay from beneath the waves, as well as mountain climbing in Yosemite. Gregory loved not only experiencing these adventures himself but also sharing them. He served as a docent at the Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, CA, and expressed his passion for the natural world through photography, capturing light, landscape, and wildlife in his “Photo of the Day,” which he shared faithfully with family and friends.

Gregory will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte (nee Timmons) Pimentel, and his ex-wife, Sharon Wyatt.  He is survived by his father, Carl Pimentel of Watsonville, CA; his aunt, Paula (Phill) Hoxie of Washington, UT; his brothers, Mark (Betsy) of Colorado Springs, CO; Paul (Jane) of Oceanside, CA; and Chris (Sandy) of Redwood City, CA; as well as his nieces, Jennifer Pimentel-Jahns, Stephanie Holly, Fallon LeHouillier, and Marissa Pimentel; and his nephews, Brian Pimentel, Kevan Pimentel, Travis LeHouillier, Zachary Pimentel, Ethan Pimentel, and Gavin Pimentel.

A funeral Mass for Gregory will be held on Tuesday, November 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Angela Merici Parish in Pacific Grove, CA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Point Pinos Lighthouse, or to the charity of your choice.