Alfonso was born in Lima, Peru, on September 8, 1932. He was brought up by his mother, Rosa. His grandfather and Rosa lived in the same apartment building. Alfonso’s Uncle, who was married, also lived in Lima. His father’s last name was Sanchez and he left when Alfonso was 10 years old, and he never heard from him again.

Alfonso and his family survived one of the strongest earthquakes in Peru. He was in grade school when the quake hit. He and another boy were near the door, and all the children were trying to flee, when the building collapsed and killed all the children and teachers, but Alfonso and the other boy made it out safely. His mother and Alfonso suffered when they lived in a poor neighborhood, but later his mother got a job in the government and moved into a better neighborhood.

At age 16, a young man approached Alfonso and said he was his half brother and that his father wanted to see him, but his father’s name was Monar. He went home to his mother and she said the boy was correct and he should go and see his real father. That was quite a shock to him.

After high school, he joined the Merchant Marines, where he met a friend that invited him to Milwaukee, where he got a job at Allis Chalmers in 1952. One year later, his mother came with her niece. At age 19, he was the breadwinner of his family. He later became a union steward and went on strike 3 times. He was married for a short time and divorced. Then he became a citizen, bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and dated a lot of women.

Alfonso and his wife Elizabeth met in December of 1969 at Victor’s, downtown on the East Side. They married on December 4, 1971. They were married for 54 years. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2014. Elizabeth took care of him. Then he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, November 29th of this year, which was a great shock.

We thank the nurses and all the employees from Accent Care Hospice that later took great care of him in his final days, with his wife by his side. Alfonso and Elizabeth were still deeply in love.

A memorial gathering will be held for Alfonso at St. Mary Catholic Faith Community (9520 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners WI, 53130) on Friday, January 9, 2025, from 10 AM to 11:45 AM. Funeral mass will be at 12 Noon. Inurnment to follow at St. Mary Catholic Faith Cemetery.