Alvaro Avila

Alvaro Avila (1925-2024) peacefully passed away with family by his side on January 25, 2024, at his home in Santa Barbara. Born and raised in Santa Barbara. Parents Ignacio and Ramona Avila. Known by his friends and family as “Al” or “Vari”, he attended Lincoln elementary school, Santa Barbara Junior High and Santa Barbara High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as an Infantry Rifleman and Technician 5th Grade Seaman in the 543rd Amphibian Engineers Battalion earning the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, Bronze Service Arrowhead, and Good Conduct Medal.

Al returned to Santa Barbara after the war and met the love of his life, Ann Perez, to whom he was lovingly and inseparably married for 73-years. Al worked many years as the school custodian at Adams School and retired in 1989. Al and Ann together were active in Santa Barbara fraternal and service organizations, including California Native Sons and Daughters, Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Elks, Moose, and Santa Barbara High Ye Ol’ Gang. They loved to dance, travel in their RV, and spend time with family and friends. Later in life they enjoyed playing bingo at the Elks and Chumash Casino.

Preceded in death by wife Ann P. Avila (2020), daughter Rebecca DeMarco (Stephen) (2020), and great-great-granddaughter Emma Rodriguez (2021). Alvaro is survived by his brother Raul “Didi” Avila (Yoli), sisters Josephine Romero and Mary Aguilar (Juan); children Phillip Avila (Gloria), Victoria Lopez (Robert), Christina Rodriguez (Tommy), Alvaro Avila, Jr. (Kelly), and Ana Marie Martinez (Stanley); seventeen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

Funeral Services

Rosary: 6:00pm on Thursday February 8, 2024
Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel
15 E. Sola St. Santa Barbara, CA

Mass: 11:00am on Friday February 9, 2024
Old Mission Santa Barbara

Graveside: Immediately following the Mass
Calvary Cemetery
199 N Hope Ave, Santa Barbara