Angelo Galindo was born in 1935 in Stockton and has continued to reside here. He and his wife, Patricia, have four children, Debbie, Lisa, Michael, and James. Angelo attended local elementary schools, Edison High School, and Stockton Junior College. Angelo played football in high school and junior college. He also played Stockton Division A or B fast pitch softball as a catcher with some of the best teams in the city and state.
He won the league batting title several times. Following college, Angelo married and became an active participant in his children’s sporting endeavors. He coached his daughters in girls softball for a few years and then was the head coach and manager for ten years in the Sunset Little League. He coached and managed three Sunset Little League All-Start teams to two regional championship games. He also coached Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball for four years and has continued to support basketball by attending St. Mary’s basketball games as an avid fan. Angelo was very active in helping and promoting fitness and strength training for many local athletes. Before there were commercial fitness centers, there was Angelo’s garage gym, open 24 hours a day.
He used the weight room he set up in his garage to train local athletes in strength training and proper weight lifting techniques. Many of the weight trainers were neighborhood athletes as well as members of the University of the Pacific basketball team. Angelo’s football coaching career began at St. Mary’s High School in 1982, the season after his sons graduated from high school. As an assistant coach at St. Mary’s, he has helped the football program to numerous league championships, three section championships, and two state bowl games.
Coach Galindo, or “grandpa” to most St. Mary’s students who know him, is still assisting and coaching with the program after 38 years. Even though he threat- ens to retire, he continues to show up in the 100º heat to ensure the students are properly hydrated, their equipment is in good working order, and they are learning proper techniques. Angelo has coached multiple generations of family members over the years. The impact he has had on their lives is clear and the impact they have had on his life is clear as well. He continues to be a fitness buff and can be found most mornings in the weight room at In-Shape Fitness, where he continues to offer his advice on weightlifting. Angelo was inducted into the St. Mary’s High School Hall of Fame in 2006.
