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Obituary

Obituary for Angel R. Alcala

Angel Rodriguez Alcala was born in East Los Angeles, California on Sunday, October 2, 1927 to the parents of Aurelio Alcala and Carmen (Rodriguez) Alcala. At six years old, Angel’s family moved to Shafter, where he attended local schools. As a teenager Angel attended Wasco High School. In 1950 he was called to service and proudly served our Country in the Korean War. After returning from the war; he came back home and three days later he met Sarah Marquez (Alcala). It was love at first sight.… They were married in 1957 at Saint Therese Catholic Church in Shafter, CA. They soon started raising a family and had two children, Carmen and Angel Jr. For a number of years, Angel and Sarah worked in the fields in around Shafter as farm workers. In 1966, Angel began working at Jackson and Perkins Rose Company and soon reached the title of supervisor. He worked there for 30 years until his retirement in 1996. Angel was a hard worker who spent his spare time at St. Therese Catholic Church as the church gardener for 32 years. Often the priest would refer to Angel on occasion in his sermons by saying “we have an angel in church and if you look around, you will see him”. Angel and Sarah were bestowed a high honor by Pope John Paul II/Vatican Catholic Church, The Benemerenti Medal, on April, 22, 1999, an honor awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church.

His life was full, in his grandson, Michael, he had a constant shadow companion, was a Dodgers fan through and through, enjoyed family events and camping, could build anything, had a quiet strength about him, and could be counted on to help at moment’s notice. He enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and the local casinos near Shafter as he liked to gamble on occasion. He was a Nino (Godfather) to many, most likely half of Shafter, and volunteered in many capacities at the Saint Therese’s Catholic Church and Richland School.

Angel is survived by his beloved wife, Sarah Alcala; daughter, Carmen Alcala Ontiveros and husband Simon Ontiveros; son, Angel M. Alcala Jr. and wife Gloria Correa Alcala; grandson, Michael Angel Garcia; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Aurelio and Carmen Alcala; sisters, Hilaria Muñoz and Micaela Espinoza.

A Mass of a Catholic burial will be held Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10am at St. Therese Catholic Church. A viewing will be held Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 2-8pm with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6pm at Peters Funeral Home in Shafter.