Alfredo Zapien

April 20, 1966 – September 1, 2026

Alfredo “Al” Zapien passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 60 years old.

Al was born on April 20, 1966, in Ensenada, Mexico, to Maria (Gollas) Zapien and David Zapien. He spent part of his childhood in Salida, California, where he attended Salida Elementary, before later attending John Adams Junior High and Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles.

From an early age, Al was independent, hardworking, and naturally gifted when it came to working with his hands. At just 14 years old, he began working as an apprentice mechanic’s helper at a local gas station. After returning to California’s San Joaquin Valley, he continued developing those skills and eventually made his career as a millwright, becoming a skilled mechanic, welder, and craftsman. He was a proud member of the Millwright Union and took great pride in his trade and the work he performed throughout his life.

In 2004, Al began working for Gold Hills as a Maintenance Mechanic. In 2010, he joined Harris Woolf as a Maintenance Mechanic, where his skill, experience, and dedication eventually led to his promotion to Maintenance Supervisor on March 18, 2019. Al remained with Harris Woolf for the rest of his life. His career reflected the work ethic, mechanical ability, and sense of responsibility that those who knew him came to recognize as an important part of who he was.

Away from work, Al enjoyed fishing, riding motorcycles, and building custom tattoo machines, another outlet for the mechanical skill and craftsmanship that came so naturally to him. His faith was an important part of his life, but nothing was more important to Al than his family. Becoming a father and later a grandfather brought him tremendous joy. He loved his family deeply and worked tirelessly throughout his life to provide for and care for the people he loved.

In September 2016, Al met Kathy, and the two married on January 2, 2020. Their love was truly one of a kind. More than husband and wife, Al and Kathy were best friends and partners in life. Together they built a life and blended family filled with love, companionship, laughter, and memories that Kathy and their family will carry with them always.

Al is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Zapien; his parents, Maria (Gollas) Zapien and David Zapien; his children, Sandra Cervantes (Eliseo), Alyssa Incardona, Bailey Zapien, and Dominic Zapien; and his stepchildren, Madison Leonardo (Nicholas), Marcus Tomlinson, Logan Tomlinson (Sheyenne), and Olivia Tomlinson.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jorden, Landen, Eliseo, Kya, Kora, Mikey, Atticus, Sylvie, Xariah, Garrett, Matthew, Maverick, and Linkin; his older brother, Jose Luis “Joe” Zapien; his sisters, Rosa, Antonia “Toni,” and Leonor “China”; as well as his nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Al was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Gabriela.

Those who knew Al will remember a hardworking and independent man who could build, repair, and create with his own hands. They will remember his dedication to his trade, his love of fishing and motorcycles, his craftsmanship, his faith, and most importantly, the love he had for his family. He leaves behind a large and loving family and a lifetime of memories that will continue to be shared for generations.

Al will be deeply missed by Kathy, his children and grandchildren, his parents and siblings, his extended family, his friends, his coworkers, and all those fortunate enough to have known and loved him.