Alfred Patrick Denham

Alfred Patrick Denham Jr. was born on March 18,1943 in Westerly, Rhode Island to Alfred Sr. and Ida Denham. He grew up in Canoga Park, California for most of his life where he built and tinkered with cars with his buddies. Some of those school age buddies he remains friends with today. Al met his future wife Mary Helen on a blind date. It was after this date that Al enlisted in the US Navy. “Big Al” served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. His ship was the USS Rowan which spent much time on the shores of Vietnam. When he came home from the war he married Mary Helen Bradford on November 27, 1965 as he served his extension in the Navy until April 1966 when he was honorably discharged. He was very proud of the time he served for his country. Al and Mary then moved to Canoga Park, Calif. Back near their families. In 1967 their first daughter was born, Monica Therese. In 1968 they moved to Simi Valley Calif. And had the rest of their family Kelly Jean and Christine Marie. Al was a hard working mechanic for Cadillac for many years and did what ever he had to support his family. In 1981 he bought his first doughnut shop and the entire family worked to run it along with many friends. In 1985 they moved to Sacramento where he opened another doughnut shop. It was a vital part of the community and led to many friendships. He loved his girls and raised them with the same hard working ethics he was raised with. He always told his girls they could do anything in life and raised then with a love for cars that was contagious. He was a devoted husband. He battled cancer for 15 years and considered himself blessed for the time that he had. He never got angry and never asked ’why me’ during all of his challenges with Cancer. He has been blessed with 2 granddaughters who lighted up his life, Lainie and Liliana, they will miss their Papa deeply. He has two amazing son in laws Mark an Emil. He loved his two sisters very much Sr Therese and Jean. His brother in law Bill has always been the brother he never had.He has two sister in laws Dolores and Kathy .He loved all of his nieces and nephews. Anyone who was blessed to know “big Al” knew they could drive up to his open garage anytime and talk, laugh and tinker with his current project a 1923 roadster. His family would like to thank Dr Michael Chun and Dr Julie Hersch for their devoted care over the years. Al is in heaven looking down on all of us with a wrench and a smile. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Sisters of t Joseph or Leukemia-Lymphoma society.