Jose Alfredo Alfredo Gallardo

Loving Son of Lauro and Josefina Gallardo

Cherished brother of Alejandra Gallardo and Luis (Susana) Gallardo.

Dearest father of: Sarah Gallardo, Janean Gallardo, and Lisette Gallardo

Dear Grandpa of: Melia Salazar

Fond Uncle of: David Sandoval, Samuel Sandoval, Adriana Arauja, Ezquiel Arauja, Noel Banda, and Joel Gallardo.

Cousin to many and a dear friend to all.

Visitation, Monday, August 1, 2011 at Funeraria del Angel Sagrado Corazon, 5218 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60632 from 2pm - 8pm. Celebration of Life Prayer Service to be held at 6pm. Interment Private.

Please Celebrate Jose Alfredo's life and visit: www.sagradocorazonchicago.com for info 773-434-1330.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel Sagrado Corazon, Chicago, IL. Concepción Rodriguez, Funeral Director.

To Jose Alfredo Gallardo, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Alfredo, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Alfredo really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Alfredo was born on November 26, 1973 at St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Lauro and Josefina Gallardo. Alfredo was raised in Chicago, Illinois. Even as a child, Alfredo had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Alfredo was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Alfredo managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Alfredo was raised with two siblings. He had one sister Alejandra and one brother Luis.

All of Alfredo's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Alfredo experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in playing Football and Basketball. In his spare time he liked to play with his sister Cowboy and Indians. Alfredo's memorable achievements included learning to ride a bike and to roller skate.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Alfredo was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Alfredo simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Alfredo, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Alfredo's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory. His favorite classes in high school was Gym and swimming.

Alfredo never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Alfredo to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Alfredo delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Alfredo was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Alfredo utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were Luis Centeno, Ricardo Centeno, Jose and The Lawndale 28ths. Later in life, he became friends with the Little Village Community and other people in other communities. Alfredo loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

Perhaps the reason Alfredo related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Alfredo was blessed with Three children, Three daughters; Sarah Gallardo, Janean Gallardo and Lisette Gallardo. They were also blessed with one grandchild, Melia Salazar. Alfredo had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Alfredo's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Alfredo had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Alfredo was a real “people person. ” he had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. His primary occupation was Forklift driver - Warehouse. He was employed for several companies.

Alfredo enjoyed his leisure time his favorite pursuits were watching movies and spending time with family and friends. Alfredo was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Alfredo felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Alfredo loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Alfredo relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Alfredo never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Recreational sports included playing Basketball with his nephews David, Samuel and Ezequiel and niece Adriana and other family and friends. Alfredo was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Football, Basketball and Boxing.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Alfredo recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member of Centro Cristiano Vida Abundante Church in Cicero, Illinois for over 20 years.

Alfredo was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Alfredo's favorites was Precious his dog it was Pit bull mix. They were best friends for 1 year.

Alfredo passed away on July 28, 2011 at Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Alfredo was tragically shot and killed. He is survived by His parents Lauro and Josefina, daughters Sarah, Jeanean and Lisette; his granddaughter Melia; and his brother Luis and his sister Alejandra. Services were held at Funeraria Del Angel Sagrado Corazon, Chicago, Illinois.

Alfredo brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Jose Alfredo Gallardo lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.