Anthony "Tony" Adrian Alameda, Jr.

Tony Alameda – a devoted husband, proud father, and cherished grandfather – passed away peacefully on July 27th. Born in Merced, California, on November 26, 1940, Tony was the firstborn child of Mary Alameda (Deniz) and Tony Alameda Sr. He was raised alongside his sisters Cecelia and Darlene on a dairy farm in Hilmar operated by his grandparents, Marianna and Frank Deniz—a place that shaped his lifelong work ethic. As Tony often quipped, "There was never a break when milking cows for Frank Deniz."Tony attended Hilmar High School, where he played football as both a halfback and fullback. But perhaps the most pivotal moment of his teenage years occurred when, at age 14, he spotted a barefoot girl named Mabel Pettit. The two fell in love and were married their entire senior year of high school, beginning a partnership of sixty-six years.Not wasting any time, Tony and Mabel welcomed their first son, Dennis, just a year later, followed by Kathleen, Ronald, Linda, and Joaquin. A provider to his core, he wore Ben Davis workwear like a uniform of honor, never met a pair of suspenders he didn’t like, and held a deep, possibly spiritual love for his John Deere equipment.In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Tony hauled cattle, but in 1974 he found his calling in the roofing industry. He began as a roof loader at Marshall Supply and later worked as a roofing estimator for Conrad Roofing in San Jose and CL Frost Roofing in Monterey. In 1984, Tony founded Alameda Roofing, a family business that grew to include two sons and a daughter. His industrious nature rubbed off – especially on his kids, who became experts not only in roofing but also in recruiting unsuspecting grandchildren as highly skilled, questionably paid interns. The family business recently celebrated 41 years of keeping roofs (and family traditions) firmly in place.In 1988, Tony and Mabel moved from Aptos to their “slice of paradise” in Corralitos, where they raised pigs, cows, and sheep and loved their many dogs over the years—Tiffany, Petey, Queenie, Pete, and Katie. Tony was happiest giving tractor and trailer rides to his grandkids, despite one memorable ride where he learned the hard way that youngest sons ought not to be trusted operating heavy machinery.Tony's children fondly remember his passion for Little League and flying remote-control airplanes during their years in Antioch and San Jose. He had a zest for life and music, especially when the song "Blue Spanish Eyes" played—those lucky enough to dance with him knew they had to hold on tight as he spun them across the floor.Tony’s impact extended far beyond his business and family. After purchasing a building for Alameda Roofing in Pajaro in 1990, he helped develop the Together in Pajaro initiative and Boy Scout Troop #505. He served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for Monterey County and was a life member and past president of the Santa Cruz Host Lions Club. He was also deeply involved in the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America (PFSA), serving as Supreme President in 2000. Tony was a longtime board member of the CPDES Hall in Santa Cruz and a devoted parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at Holy Eucharist Church in Corralitos. He was also a proud member of the Aptos Grange and played an instrumental role in founding the Independent Roofing Contractors of California. Tony managed all of this while serving as the patriarch of a large extended family who probably thought everyone’s grandpa did this much before lunch. Despite his successful career and community service, Tony found camaraderie in unexpected places—like the morning coffee group of local farmers at the California Grill, who dubbed theirs the “table of knowledge.” Mabel, however, more accurately dubbed it the “table of bulls**t.” Tony also enjoyed fishing and once owned a Monterey boat, the “Mabel L,” docked at Moss Landing. A dedicated San Francisco 49ers fan, he proudly held season tickets during the Joe Montana era – back when Super Bowl victories were still a thing in the Bay and hope didn’t come with a disclaimer. Camping was another of Tony’s great loves, and many family adventures were spent at New Brighton Beach, Sunset Beach, and Lake Tahoe. Later, he and Mabel joined the River Rigz RV group, traveling across California with friends each month.Tony is survived by his beloved wife Mabel Alameda, his children Dennis Alameda (Teresa), Kathleen Gribben (Gary), Ronald Alameda (Judy), Linda Alameda-Strawn (Stephen), and Joaquin Alameda. He is also survived by his brother Adrian Alameda (Janelle), sister Angie Mannel (Kevin), and sister-in-law Dee Michael.Tony leaves behind a multi-generational mess of younger Alamedas. They number 21 grandchildren—Ryan, Kyle, Candace, Tina, Kirstien, Eric, Kevin, Tonya, Anthony, Justin, Aimee, Rachel, Grant, Brandon, Erika, Natalie, Lauren, Lindsay, Leann, Lani, and Lucas—along with 24 great-grandsons and 24 great-granddaughters (with the tiebreaker great-grandchild arriving in February), and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Mary Bickel (John Bickel) and Tony Alameda Sr., his sisters Cecelia Soares and Darlene Alameda, his son-in-law Gary Gribben, and his “daughter of the heart,” Lisa Stormoen.Though he is no longer “above the grass,” Tony’s legacy will live on through the love of his family and the strength of his community. A community that won’t soon forget the man who always had a fishing story, a strong opinion and probably a better way to do it. The family extends heartfelt thanks to his dedicated caregivers: Jerry Lee, Deli Martinez, Aly Lee, Mari Alameda, and Hospice of Santa Cruz County.A Visitation will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel on Monday, August 4th from 3pm-6pm with a Vigil at 6pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church in Corralitos on Tuesday, August 5th at 10:30a.m. with burial to follow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Aptos. Following the burial, a Celebration of Life will take place at Seacliff Inn located at 7500 Old Dominion Court in Aptos.Donations in Tony’s name may be made to the PFSA Scholarship Fund or the Santa Cruz Host Lions Club.