Main story: Downtown park named after beloved Elvis impersonator

Gilroyan Donald Prieto loved entertaining people

Photos by Marty Cheek Donald Prieto’s sister, Vicki O’Hara (with yellow scarf), and his mother, Linda Prieto, dedicate the park.

By Marty Cheek

The “King” may have left the building, but his spirit is alive and well in downtown Gilroy.

Donald Prieto as his well-known alter ego. Gilroy Life file photo

A pop-up park next to the Gilroy Center for the Arts was officially christened the Donald “Elvis” Prieto Park Saturday, June 22, honoring the memory of the city’s beloved Elvis impersonator who passed away three years ago at the age of 54.

Under a blazing sun that would have made Memphis proud, nearly 100 community members gathered to celebrate the life of   a man who for more than three decades brought the magic of Elvis to the Garlic Capital.

Known for his dazzling sequined jumpsuits and uncanny ability to channel the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Donald Prieto was more than just an entertainer — he was Gilroy’s heart and soul, some attendees said.

“Donald was our icon of Gilroy. Everyone knew Donald,” said Rachel Muñoz, a close friend of the Prieto family who spearheaded the park-naming effort. “He was the most popular at the Senior Center. Everyone loved him there.”

At first, Muñoz suggested having a city street named after Prieto. She approached Gilroy City councilmember Dion Bracco who came up with the idea of naming the pop-up park to honor his memory. Muñoz and others thought that was an even better idea.

“He was an amazing special person. He was a man of God,” she said. “No matter what trials and tribulations he was going through, he always had a positive spirit . . . He was an inspiration to all of us.”

Prieto had a passion for Presley. He spent countless concert hours entertaining audiences as Elvis. The tribute artist loved the thrill of giving a curl of the lip and a sly wink of the eye as he belted out many of the beloved songs the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was famous for.

Raven-maned and tailored in a 1970s-style Elvis sequin jumpsuit, the Gilroyan was well known in the South Valley for helping local nonprofits raise funds through concerts and other events during the past three decades. He was born Feb. 16, 1967 and died May 1, 2021 at age 54.

Prieto got his start as the man from Memphis in 1992. The next year, he competed in a contest to see who might be the best Elvis Presley tribute artist. He came in second. At one point, as his music career bloomed he was doing 15 to 20 shows on weekends. Before a show he sat in his car and listened to Elvis music to get in the mood

“I do it because I love what I do. I put that suit on and it changes my persona,” he said in a Gilroy Life story published in 2020. “I’ve had my best friends tell me that when I put that suit on I become Elvis. I really don’t notice it.”

Prieto’s journey as an Elvis tribute artist made him a local legend.  He created a sensation for his fellow Gilroyans whether he was shaking his hips at Victoria’s Mexican Restaurant (owned by his family) or raising funds for local nonprofits. Prieto’s performances were always infused with his infectious joy and genuine love for people.

Showing the arts community’s esteem, the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival presented Prieto with its 2020 Community Achievement Award. Organizers originally intended to give him the honor at the festival in April in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the event. Instead, they showed him their love at a special gathering of family and friends in the parking lot outside Victoria’s Mexican Restaurant.

Mattie Scariot, the director of the Poppy Jasper International Film festival, had been friends with Prieto since they first met at Gilroy High School. Even back then, she saw how the teenage Prieto was developing his charisma and outgoing personality.

“Donald was this bright light. You just never caught him having a bad day,” she said. “He was always happy, always had a kind word. I think that’s why when he was on stage, he just glowed. To be able to capture an audience like he did is a gift. And that came from something inside of him.”

A diabetic since childhood, Prieto had health issues for many years. He had a kidney/pancreas replacement in 1999. In 2006, he needed a new kidney and received one from his friend Dottie Stewart.

He faced the remaining days of his life bravely, Scariot said.

At the pop-up park dedication, Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley, fighting back tears, reminisced about growing up with Prieto and getting to know him and his family.

“We’re celebrating life, that’s what we’re doing,” she said. “We’re thanking God that Donald lived and gave what he gave.”

The park-naming journey wasn’t without its challenges. Councilmember Bracco, who funded the commemorative plaque, admitted there were times he nearly gave up. “Rachel got me back in line,” he said with a chuckle about Muñoz’s persistence. “We look forward to many years of this park with children running around and playing.”

Fellow Elvis impersonator and friend Rick Torres drove down from San Jose for the occasion. The two became close buddies, bonded by their respect for Presley’s talent.

“Donald’s mission here on Earth was to unite us as a family and to make great memories,” Torres said, adjusting the collar of his Elvis-style shirt. “And once his mission was done, he left us all with some great memories.”

The community is already buzzing with ideas for the park’s future, including hosting Elvis-themed concerts and fundraisers. It seems Prieto’s legacy of bringing joy and unity to Gilroy by channeling Presley will continue for generations to come.

Gilroy City Councilmember Fred Tovar was new to Gilroy when they first met and soon became good friends. Prieto instantly made him feel comfortable, almost as if they had known each other forever, he said.

“His legacy as a beloved local artist will be honored in a space that will bring people together, just as he did,” he said. “Having the park next to the Gilroy Arts Center and the murals featuring children engaged in artistic activities is incredibly significant.”

One thing’s for certain: in Gilroy, the King’s spirit is alive and well in the downtown district, Tovar believes.

“Naming the pop-up park after Donald ‘Elvis’ Prieto is a heartfelt way to honor a man who was the heartbeat of our community,” he said in an email. “This park will serve as a living tribute to Donald and the entire Prieto family, a place where his spirit of joy, creativity, and togetherness will continue to inspire and unite us all in celebration of his remarkable life and enduring legacy.”

Prieto leaves behind his daughter Presley, his sister Vikki, his mother Linda and many other family members.

As the dedication ceremony concluded, someone in the crowd couldn’t resist shouting, “Elvis has left the building!” But thanks to the newly minted Donald “Elvis” Prieto Park, it’s clear that Gilroy’s King of the community’s heart will never truly be gone.