Wallace Wally H. Sivula

Wallace H. Sivula was a modest man, quiet and observant in his ways. He was trustworthy and traditional in his approach to his life and in his relationships. While he was tough-minded and could be hard headed at times, he had an amazing soft-spot for those needing a hand and was generous to a fault. Realistic about life, he pushed those he loved to achieve more but was was always there to pick them up and dust them off to try again when things didn't go well.

His mother Dorothy raise him alongside his older non-identical twin Bill (William) and their young brother Richard in Ohio. Wally often said Bill was born first only because he had kicked him out. He was brought up to be dependable, realistic, and tenacious. These were traits that would serve him well throughout his life.

Wally brought the same no-nonsense traditional values in his marriage to bear on how he raised his children. He was a good parent to them, always firm yet fair in his dealings. Raising such a large family was a bit different than most families Wally knew. There were good times to be had, but just as often there was a fair share of challenges as well. However, Wally was able to work through the usual family problems when they appeared, and was self-sacrificing for his family. He even sold his motorcycle and other "toys" to pay the bills when times were tough in the 70s. And he later went on the road several months per year to find more lucrative construction electrician work to continue to support his family. Certainly there were times he and Penny worked hard to make ends meet for such a large family, but they did such an outstanding job of it, building a happy home such that his nine children always knew beyond any doubt they were lucky and from a well-off family, and they lacked for nothing. They never saw the challenges.

Wally was a hard worker who expected the same in return from his co-workers. He was a union electrician, Journeyman-Wireman, working on large scale construction sites to wire up commercial buildings and large-scale apartment complexes for all the power they would need. Having worked on nuclear electricity projects in the Navy, he was later cleared for nuclear security clearance at San Onofre and worked on Unit 1 as well as helped build Units #2 and #3. San Onofre provided significant energy to much of Southern California for decades until its shutdown very recently. Wally made life-long friends through the electricians trade, including Jim and Jerry in the early years, and Paul who taught him how to make a mean Italian meatball.

In the Navy, Wally achieved the rank of Electrician's Mate Third Class (Nuclear), E-4. He was at sea three of the four years in Navy during the Vietnam War.

For hobbies and pastimes, Wally loved to follow the NASCAR Sprint race, looked forward to camping lake-side or river-side with family, and often hosted outdoor barbecues in his backyard for family and friends. He also occasionally made it out to the Del Mar Racetrack during thoroughbred racing season and even shared his hobby by teaching his daughters the essentials of track betting, watching the success of jockeys and trainers to gain a better advantage.

Wally was a quietly religious man. He first became a Byzantine Catholic through Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Anaheim where he and Penny and all the kids attended for many years. He and Penny joined Holy Angeles Church in San Diego a few years after their move to North San Diego County.

Wallace H. Sivula passed away on February 5, 2016 at UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, CA. He had beaten liver cancer and held a host of other chronic issues in balance and at bay. However, a tragic garage fire burned part of his leg, and ultimately he suffered complications from his chronic issues that arose from the strain the burn and the surgery for the burn had put on his system he had held for so long in balance.

Wally is survived by so many people who loved him immensely and will never forget him! He is survived by the nine children he had with Penny during their many years together: Edward, Pamela, Christine, Theresa, Gabriel, John, Peter, Cathy, and Joseph. He is also survived by his twin brother Bill. Additionally, he has twelve grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law and of course a host of honorary "family" members who also love him dearly.

Funeral services were held at Holy Angels Church in San Diego, CA. Wally was laid to rest with the love of his life, Penny, at Riverside National Cemetery.

Dependability is a key word that can be used to describe the life of Wallace H. Sivula. He was never showy, he didn't seek reassurance, he was always there when you needed him. He was our rock. He was a good man who was both practical and trustworthy, straightforward, direct, and honest. You always knew where you stood with him. He was committed to the traditional values that he upheld his entire life and his family and those he knew and loved were able to depend on him. Always.