David Amaral passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024 after a valiant three-year battle with cancer. His medical condition perplexed the doctors and in his true spirit David declared himself an "Albino Zebra". A seventh-generation Californian, David was born in Palo Alto and raised in Los Altos by the late Winnie and the late Joe Amaral. Beloved and devoted husband of the late Carolyn Amaral, married for 49 years.

After serving in the US Coast Guard he attended Foothill College. David married Carolyn in 1972. Shortly after they moved to San Mateo where they raised their Old English Sheepdogs Albert and Mandy. David had a long career as a Traffic and Lighting Technician with the city of San Mateo.

David was known for his legendary culinary expertise and his multiple CA State Fair award winning cookies and baked goods. He was a wine connoisseur who loved travelling the world on 19 Regent Cruises. He was also an excellent photographer and gardener of award winning roses. Lastly, he was an avid 49ers fan and 45 year ticket holder.

David and Carolyn supported and volunteered at many charities including Saint Vincent de Paul, Samaritan House, Kiwanis Club, Mills-Peninsula Hospital, Fall River, MA Boys & Girls Club and Historical Society. He was a long-standing and active member at St. Bart's Catholic Church in San Mateo.

David will be remembered for his sense of humor (always enjoying a good joke) and as a generous and decent human being who adored his wife, loved the Lord and loved being with friends and family. He will be missed by all those fortunate enough to have known him.

Survived by his sister-in-law Judith Acker, niece Stacey Charlton, nephew Phillip Acker (his wife Daria and family), niece Jennifer Acker (her husband Tim Parks and family), sister-in-law Pat Amaral (her husband the late Lawrence Amaral and family) and by numerous family members, other relatives and dear friends.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, San Mateo, Friday, October 18, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. Private interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Los Altos, CA.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his name to Mills-Peninsula Hospital, Burlingame, St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo, Peninsula Humane Society or to your favorite charity.

Arrangements cared for by CHAPEL OF THE HIGHLANDS, Millbrae, CA
(650) 588-5116 www.chapelofthehighlands.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The San Mateo Daily Journal on Oct. 16, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for David Amaral

Sponsored by Chapel of the Highlands.

6 Entries

Craig Wiesner - Columnist with the Daily Journal

November 26, 2024

Thank you to David for his kindness, frequent comments at the Daily Journal opinion section, and sharing a few stories when he visited me at our shop. I will miss him!

Brenda Christian

November 14, 2024

To all of David's family and friends...I was so sad to learn of his passing. How did I know David and Carol...That history goes back to when his dad (Joe) met my dad in the service. A few years later, Joe would be the best man at my Dad and Mom's wedding (Robert and Nell Christian). After their Military service, my Mom and Dad, along with Joe and Winnie Amaral, would eventually settle and raise a family in Los Altos, California. Their homes were just a couple of streets away from each other. Over the years our families (my sisters and I, my folks, David and Carol, and Joe and Winnie) would gather for countless barbecues and dinners, almost always followed by a friendly game of penny poker. My Dad would make an annual trip to the Sierras to pan for gold, and David joined my Dad on several of his gold panning trips. The friendships of our families endured throughout a lifetime. In recent years David and I kept in touch via email. My last email to check in with David was on September 22, 2024. I sent a couple of follow-up emails without any reply. I learned yesterday via an internet search that David had passed on October 10, 2024. I'm sorry I missed his service and celebration of life. I'm sending healing light, love, and prayers to his family and friends. David will be missed.

Chris Loxton

November 13, 2024

David had an incredible generosity and will be long remembered at my winery. During Covid and his illness he wanted to support my business and bought some wine, even though he was probably not able to drink it, just so that I could keep in business. It prompted me to match the amount and give the money instead to my employees. Memories of his visits with his "49ers" fan license plate bring a smile whenever I think of them!

M.Amaral

November 4, 2024

So sorry we didn't get a chance to talk and have you meet your niece and nephew , rest in peace Uncle David may you be with those you love and look over the rest of us.

October 18, 2024

May God's promise found in John 6:40, of the hope to see our loved ones again, comfort your heart and give you peace, strength, and hope in the days ahead.

Tony Rouse

October 18, 2024

I knew Dave and Carolyn who were long time volunteer members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - St. Bartholomew Conference. I visited with David at many SVDP events. We would discuss the many families and individuals that we both served in the parish boundaries of St. Bartholomew and St. Matthew Parish and the SVDP programs throughout San Mateo County that included homeless service centers. David and Carolyn not only assisted those in need in weekly visits to their homes but they also financially supported the services. Because of the large numbers that are weekly helped, the St. Bartholomew members helped the St. Matthew members like myself to visit and provide help to those in need. For years we both visited many of the same households. I can tell you that Dave greeted everyone he met with the highest level of kindness and dignity I have ever witnessed. I am sure he treated you the same way. In the past year he surprised me by frequently visiting the complex I live at to visit a friend of his who was also suffering from terminal cancer. Dave was not in great shape, but made those visits with joy and support for his friend and his wife and son. I trust his great love will continue on forever and get him "early arrival" into heaven!

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