Alfred Arispe

Faithful and devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and St. Henry's parishioner, Alfred touched our lives with his unswerving trust in God and others.

To Alfred, a promise was something that you kept and a lasting agreement in business could be made on a handshake.

Born in San Antonio on Dec. 9, 1921, Alfred proudly served his country in WWII as a radio operator on the USS Lamson DD 367 and later worked hard to support his family as an owner of a small business of steam cleaners and car washes.

He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Arispe, and mother, Juanita Casanova Arispe, of Canary Island descent, and brother, Manuel Arispe Jr.

Alfred is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Irene Fernandez Arispe; daughters, Nancy Roth-Roffy and Susan Marr and son-in-law, Nils Marr. He is also survived by brothers, Adolph and John Henry Arispe; sisters, Trinidad Hitzfeldt, Esther Hernandez and Liria Torres, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In Tribute and Remembrance

By Daughter, Nancy Roth-Roffy

On behalf of my Mom, Sister and Brother-in-Law, I thank you all for your presence and comfort to us tonight.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Lord took back into his arms His gift to the world who was my father. Faithful and devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and St. Henry's parishioner, Daddy touched our lives with his love, compassion, generosity -- and wonderful smile.

To my Daddy, family was everything; he lived his entire life to take care of us.

To him, a promise was something that you kept and a lasting agreement in business could be made on a handshake.

From my beautiful Mom, I am learning all about strength -- and from my sweet father, I learned to trust.

Daddy had an absolutely unswerving trust - in God and in others. Over the years, whenever he had decisions to make, he'd usually take the risk because - as he told us time and time again - he knew that everything would work out. God would take care of things and we would be alright. After all, we would be together.

Daddy made every day Thanksgiving - and every day, for the rest of our lives, we will remain thankful for his lessons to us on what it means to love, to keep your word and to help those around you who needed a hand.

Last Thursday, our prayers were answered when he crossed into the light, just a breath away from my Mom, Susan, Nils and me. His death was as beautiful a blessing as was his life.

As I sat next to him on his bed, and leaned over to hold him in my arms for our last dance, I thanked him for being our incredible example of giving and shepherding and honoring all of God's creation.

We love you, Daddy - and we trust that we'll see you again, just a little farther down the road.

My entire family thanks all of you for your prayers, friendship and heartfelt support.