Alan Avila

Alan "Al" Avila, born in San Francisco, California on February 25, 1944, beloved partner, brother, uncle, grandpa and godfather, a good friend and neighbor, has left us all too soon. Al left this world on April 29, 2025 after a brief illness. He will be sorely missed.

Al was the third child in a family of four children born in San Francisco to Alfred and Marion Avila. He graduated from high school at Camden High, followed by University of California Berkeley, and was immensely proud of graduating from the London School of Economics with a Master's degree in Demography. Al worked at California Department of Transportation, where he developed lifelong friendships and worked hard. He loved his work and was happy to retire early.

Al and Sharon Doughty fell in love almost 40 years ago. Sharon converted Al to an enjoyment of world traveling. Together they visited many countries, went white water rafting in Costa Rica, tried new foods all over Asia, and swam in Barbados. Although traveling made Al nervous at times, he loved their trips together. In recent years, Al was an amazing support to Sharon and helped her through hard times.

Al was confirmed and took his first communion at St John's Parish in Felton, CA. He was an active member of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Sacramento, CA., and spent Sunday mornings at early Mass (and frequented weekday services), and helped to prepare and serve meals at the church's monthly Sharing God's Bounty meals for the hungry program.

Al was slyly funny, made quiet jokes, liked shopping with his granddaughter and seeing her play in the orchestra, loved hearing news of his nieces and nephews and hosting a large family Christmas dinner, and liked rum punch on vacation. He believed in free speech and personal responsibility, and was charitable in his service helping prepare and serve meals at the Church's spaghetti dinners.. Al liked cooking and trying different foods. He loved music, Apple technology, always had the latest version of gadgets, and enjoyed sports, especially on his big tv, and was an avid fan of the Sacramento Republic FC. Al liked to read religious texts, poetry, and history. He had a fondness for public transportation and would often take buses or trains and walk to get to know new places. If you were lucky enough to know Al, you could always count on conversation on current events and stories from recent adventures, or his school days, and good food.

Al is survived by his partner Sharon and her family including their granddaughter Alexandra, his sister Sue (David) Keller; his brother Stan (Georgetta) Avila, and his much loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Henry "Hank" Avila.

A Funeral Mass and reception will be held on May 21, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at St Ignacius Loyola Parish 3235 Arden Way. There will be a rosary preceding the service at 1:30