Flavio R. Alfaro

1961 - 2021

Flavio R. Alfaro
October 26, 1961 - January 27, 2021
Sacramento, California - Flavio R. Alfaro, 59, of Sacramento CA, a local chestnut farmer, former Marine and U.S. Olympic baseball player passed away January 27, 2021 at home with his wife after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
"Flav" attacked life with uncompromising zeal, humor and generosity. For Flav, each day was a celebration to be enjoyed with his wife, family and numerous friends from across his life's journey.
That journey began in the Pacoima area of Los Angeles, where his baseball speed and glove skills began to emerge at Polytechnic High School. After service in the United States Marine Corps, he returned to playing baseball at College of the Canyons and then for San Diego State University Aztecs.
He was then given the honor of a lifetime when he was selected as a member of the United States' first national Olympic baseball team in 1984. Flav played middle infield and travelled the country with many future Major League Baseball All Stars. The team played in the Olympics' demonstration baseball tournament during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Flav's hometown of Los Angeles, earning silver medals.
Flav was the 99th overall pick in the 1984 Major League Baseball First-Year Draft and played for several minor league teams, including the Durham Bulls. He was extremely humble about his baseball career, joking that it was over "once they put a wooden bat in my hand." When asked about his time playing baseball, he preferred to tell stories of the fun he had, the friends he made and the lessons he learned -- never about any personal achievements.
After his baseball career, Flav worked in the recycling business and moved to Sacramento, where he met the love of his life, Suzanne. "Suz" would be at his side for nearly 30 years. Along the way, Flav recommitted to earning his college degree and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Management Systems from California State University Sacramento.
Flav's passion was spending time with friends and family. The home he and Suz made was full of warmth, laughter, great food and wine. Their door was always open. He loved exercise, movies, music, books and sports. He loved to travel with his wife to wine country. He loved playing golf, poker and fantasy sports with his friends.
Flav was an accomplished storyteller. During countless leisurely times with friends and family, his tales and his long list of Flav-isms to describe everyday life would leave anyone crying in laughter. He enriched many young lives who all knew him for his "power hugs." He cherished the title of "uncle" and "tio." And he had a deep love for animals. He spent much of his time caring for his cats and dog, Lily "The Hammer".
Most recently, Flav managed Harrison's California Chestnut Farm in Gridley, owned by his mother-in-law Sandy and late father-in-law Paul Harrison. There too, Flav, Suz, Sandy, his sister-in-law Anastasia and brother-in-law Kevin ensured the farm was a place for family and friends to enjoy cookouts, and for children to hunt for Easter eggs, ride on tractors and drive golf carts.
Flav was a larger-than-life figure and his enormous positive and joyful presence will live on in spirit. His life will serve as an inspiration to his extended family and to young scholar athletes.
Flavio is survived by his beloved wife Suzanne (Harrison) Alfaro of Sacramento; parents Luis and Teresa; brothers Manuel, Jaime and Ramon, and sister Irma Roman of Pacoima; mother-in-law Sandy Harrison of Gridley, sister-in-law Anastasia (Harrison) Murphy and her husband Kevin of Elk Grove; nephews Marcus, Manuel, Oscar and Michael; and nieces Shaney, Marissa, Selina, Shealyn, Maggie and many grand nieces and nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father-in-law Paul Harrison; two dogs Chewy and Cleo.
Flavio will be laid to rest at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery in Gridley, CA. A celebration of life to include his extended family and friends will be held in the future, when it is safe to do so.
Donations can be made to the Flavio Alfaro Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1017 L St #794, Sacramento CA 95814.