Alfred Parra's Obituary
Alfred Gilbert Parra, aged 81, of El Paso, Texas died in Palo Alto, California on 27 March 2019.Alfred was born 16 April 1937 in El Paso, Texas to Alfredo and Juanita Parra. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1955. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1959 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and completed his MBA from Santa Clara University in 1966. He was stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona in 1960-1962 where he served active duty in the Signal Corps. He served in the US Army Reserve subsequently until 1966. He married on 31 July 1965 to Margaret Parra nee Gerace.Alfred, who had a continual fascination with the world around him, was trained in engineering and mechanics, and was equally scientific and philosophical in outlook. His career until retirement was in aerospace, with his work taking him on travels to Japan, Europe, India and Australia. An excellent conversationalist as well as an engaged listener, he studied several languages including Japanese and French. He regularly undertook ongoing education in the wide ranging subjects that endlessly interested him. He studied quantum physics and string theory (taking a course from Leonard Susskind), and purchased numerous books on the subject. He loved literature and extensively read Shakespeare and classic fiction. A lifelong jazz fan, he attended jazz concerts and took jazz appreciation classes, and learned to play the piano after the age of 70. He was an accomplished winemaker for many years, producing (with friends) red and white varieties from grapes harvested in Northern California, and one year winning a blue ribbon in the Mendocino County Fair. Oenology extended to a general interest in horticulture and nature: seasonality, the chemistry of soil, composting, fruit trees and orchids. His love of nature took him into birding, where he spent several years trekking in search of shorebirds around the Bay Area. He enjoyed sports of all types to both play and watch, with golfing his particular favorite. He loved sitting with his daughters and grandchildren to watch and discuss sports, team histories and statistics, always with engaging humor. He loved vintage cars, and enjoyed working on the family 1962 Volkswagen Beetle. He was politically knowledgeable with a strong sense of social justice and charity. He was valued for his quick wit and sly sense of humor, and was known for his steady stream of jokes. He adored all of his family, taking great interest in their daily care and emotional support.Alfred is survived by his wife Margaret Parra, children Jennifer Daltilio, Claire Parra (Dave Nichols) and Andrea Parra; grandchildren Kai and Nicole Nichols, and Ann Marie and Allison Daltilio; his sister Alice Marie Briggs (Raymond), nephews Mark Briggs (Suky), Paul Briggs (Angela), John Briggs, and niece Allison Briggs Gutierrez (Carlos Gutierrez). He is also survived by his brother-in-law John Gerace (Barbel), nephews Rainer and Stefan; sister-in-law Mary Ellyn Voltura (Dan), nieces Catherine Voltura (Joe Maiorano), Mary Beth Hardesty (Kevin), and Karen Voltura; brother-in-law Peter Gerace (Bonnie), nephews Christopher (Rebecca Roosevelt), and Geoffery (Nicole) and niece Tina; and sister-in-law Catherine Hoitink (Tom), nephews Michael (Alexis), Tim (Lydia Yu), and niece Kelly.A private family funeral was held on 3 April 2019 at Skylawn Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Alfred’s favorite non-profits such as the Ecumenical Hunger Project, St. Anthony’s Dining Room, or Companions On The Journey.
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