Hector Ignacio Ayala

July 31, 1935 - January 16, 2021

Hector (Raul) AYALA passed away on January 16, 2021 at the age of 85 years. He was born July 31, 1935 in Yaruqui, Ecuador to Etelvina & Secundino Ayala.

In 1961 without knowing anyone he bravely embarked on a new journey to a new country and came to the United States as a legal resident to start a new life and settled in San Francisco, CA, and proudly became a US citizen.

After establishing himself in the US, Hector returned to Ecuador in the hopes of finding a bride. They met on a 2-hour long train ride and his persistence and fate intervened. A year later Yolanda flew to the US to join him and start their new life together. He married Yolanda Suarez on December 21st, 1963 at St. Peter's Church in San Francisco.

In 1964, Hector and Yolanda purchased their first home in Daly City and welcomed their first daughter, Silvia.

In 1967, they purchased their second home in San Mateo where they welcomed their second daughter Patricia and a son Raul.

In 1976, Hector and Yolanda purchased a home in a very quiet area of San Mateo where they raised their family, awarding his wife and children better opportunities. Given his very humble beginnings coming from a small town in Ecuador this was an enormous accomplishment and he took great pride in this achievement. After both retired in 1999, they moved and settled in San Jose.

Hector was a proud member of the Carpenter's Union for over 30 years. Hector worked in the construction industry on commercial buildings, Highway 280, San Francisco International Terminal, as well as many projects, large and small, throughout the Bay Area. Besides working full time Hector always enjoyed and managed side projects after work or on the weekends roofing, additions, fences and concrete work.

Hector and Yolanda invested in rental property and would remodel and improved each house for additional income. When one project was completed, they would purchase another home and start again. Hector was a great provider and always wanted his family to be happy, safe and comfortable.

Hector is survived by his loving wife, Yolanda, daughter Silvia Ayala-Salamat, daughter Patricia and son-in-law Alberto Palafox, his son Raul Ayala and daughter-in-law Anja Gardeman, his grandchildren Natasha and partner, Juvenal, Raul and wife, Naomi, Step-grand-children, Andre and Calleigh, his beautiful great-grand-daughters Jasmine, Angelica & Luna, his loving brothers Wilfrido Ayala & Family and Jaime Ayala & Family both in Ecuador.

Hector leaves behind many sister-in-law’s, brother-in-law’s, cousins, nieces, nephews and god children who have always loved and admired him throughout his life. He always led by example showing kindness and appreciation for everyone he met. His laughter and joy for life was easy to see as he was always happily smiling.

Hector enjoyed playing soccer and volleyball as well as reading. He and his wife loved traveling to many countries on different continents, he was an active member of his Catholic Church, he loved singing his traditional folk music from Ecuador and playing his beloved guitar.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 19, 2021 at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, CA. Visitation for family and friends will take place at Grace Chapel starting at 1:30pm.

Father Luis Vargas will be officiating. We would love to have you present but due to restrictions and COVID 19 we will leave it to your discretion. Please let us know if you will be attending in person. We invite everyone unable to attend in person to please join us via link (video) to be provided.

Thank you.

THE AYALA FAMILY