Obituary of David Alvarez

David Alvarez

Lifelong Santa Cruz Resident

October 6, 1960 – September 20, 2021.

Friends and family will gather in Santa Cruz on his birthday October 6, 2021 to say farewell to David Alvarez who passed away in Santa Cruz, CA on September 20th.

David was born in Tucson, Arizona on October 6, 1960 but grew up on the Westside of Santa Cruz.

David’s family came to Santa Cruz in 1965. He attended Louden Nelson and Natural Bridges Elementary, Mission Hill Jr. High and Santa Cruz High. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1978 where he played football, wrestled and was on the track & field team for the Cardinals.

David worked for several local Santa Cruz plumbing companies as an apprentice and later as a journeyman plumber before starting out on his own, operating his own plumbing and repair service with a career that spanned over 35 years.

David loved the beach and you could always find him near the ocean. He enjoyed fishing off the Santa Cruz Wharf with his brothers and friends. You could always find him at the Wharf as it was one of is his favorite places to hangout. David loved to stop by garage sales and antique stores as he collected coins and loved to find antique items. David was always a lucky guy; he once won a brand-new bicycle in a drawing from Jackson’s Bootery in downtown Santa Cruz and he loved playing the Lottery and Scratchers. He was obsessed with Bruce Lee and watched every movie that Bruce Lee ever acted in. David even had a pair of nun chucks and loved to pretend he was Bruce Lee.

Fond memories will continue to be shared by his friends and loved ones. He will be truly missed but he will always be remembered for that big heart and smile of his.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothea and Felix Pepito of Santa Cruz, CA. David is survived by his daughter, Gabriella Alvarez of Clovis, CA; his father, Gerardo C. Alvarez of West Point, UT; his brothers Daniel Moreno of Santa Cruz, CA and Jerry (Karen) Alvarez of Reno, NV; his sisters, Maria Aguirre of Santa Cruz, CA, Marti (Mark) Meyer of Scotts Valley, CA, Mari Solorzano of Syracuse, UT, Nina Kodele and Selvia Alvarez-Chapman of West Point, UT; his aunt Phyllis Aguilar of Salinas, CA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, too many to name.

A gathering to celebrate David's life and his birthday will be held at Harvey West Park on October 6, 2021, 2:00PM to 4:00PM. A private committal has previously been held. In lieu of flowers, an act of charity can be made in David’s memory to: Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County.