Dennis Paul Alvarado

Dennis was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at age 28.  At the time, Dennis was having such a happy life.  He had married his best friend, Deanna Trujillo, whom he had met through his sister, Tina.  He graduated from North High in Torrance, California in 1989. He earned an Associate of Science degree at El Camino College, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Cal State University Northridge. He and Deanna were running their own company named Final Draft Graphics.  Before MS, he was healthy, active and loved to go camping, fishing, and rugged mountain bike riding.  He loved Gracie jiu-jitsu lessons, movies, concerts, and traveling.

In 1999, his health issues started. Once he fainted, another time his hands started to shake, his legs wobbled and he realized something was not right. The MS diagnosis was not easy, but Dennis understood that he was not alone on this journey. No matter what happened, he accepted it and never lost his faith in God, his love for his family and friends, and his ability to secure only the best chocolate!

Dennis got his faith and gentle disposition from his mother, Vera.  He inherited his wicked sense of humor and his love for USC from his dad, Al.  When he was first transitioning to his wheelchair, he went to pray at Our Lady of Angels Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles which opened in 2002.  Deanna’s mom, Marylou took Dennis, Deanna, and Vera.  At some point, Dennis wanted to stretch and made the awkward attempt to stand straight up from his wheelchair.  After a few minutes struggling, he realized that people praying in the church were suddenly watching him.  When the cameras started flashing he realized that they must have thought that they were witnessing a miracle.  He smiled, continued his stretch and thoroughly enjoyed the ability to simply get out of his wheelchair and stand for a moment.

Encouraged to write a bucket list, Den started while he was mobile enough to enjoy his time. We are so grateful that he was able to complete a lot of his dreams. From going on cruises, eating roasted nuts in Central Park, to seeing Times Square. He got to gamble a $100 bill on one roulette roll, he partied in South Beach with ‘his crew’ (Deanna, Pete, Richard, and Mish).  He traveled with Vera, Marylou and Frank to Florida and then they took a cruise to Puerto Rico where Dennis petted sharks and drank rum (maybe he drank the rum first!). Dennis roamed around Atlantis in the Bahamas and snorkeled in Belize at the second largest coral reef in the world. Once he started losing his mobility, he still managed to get around. He traveled closer to home and enjoyed going to the movies.  Dennis was very adaptable and regardless of where he was health wise, he was very grateful for what he had and was always smiling and thanking God for keeping him surrounded by people that loved him and cared for him.

Dennis’ condition progressed to a point that he had to go to a nursing home. He was embraced with love and respect by the staff.  Most would tell his family how incredibly nice Dennis was and how regardless of his circumstance, they could not help but be happy around him because of his incredible spirit and contagious smile.

Dennis leaves behind the love of his life, Deanna Trujillo Alvarado, who helped him so much from the day he first fainted to the day he left to join his parents, Al and Vera Alvarado in Heaven.  He leaves his beloved sister, Tina and her husband, Ken Chisam, who both supported and protected Dennis when he was healthy and throughout his illness.  Dennis leaves behind wonderful memories with his brother Alan Alvarado, who took him camping and taught him how to fish.  Dennis loved having a large extended family. He loved his niece, Chloe (her husband Sam and their son Roman), and nephews Shane and Brady.

Dennis passed away on November 22, 2021. It is fitting that Dennis would pass away during the week of Thanksgiving. No matter what happened, Dennis never forgot to thank God every day in his prayers for his blessings and loving family. To have known him, in health or in sickness, was surely a reason to be thankful.