David Henry Noriega

David Henry Noriega was born on Thursday July 24th, 1941 - the 5th child of 10 - in Downtown Los Angeles. As his younger siblings were being born, the family relocated from Bloom Street to Portola Avenue in El Sereno. David loved his family, and always bore a sense of responsibility for helping them. When they were very young, David formed the "Eagle Gang" so he could wrangle his younger brothers (Danny, Bobby, Charlie and Gilbert) and keep them out of trouble. They would occasionally allow the itsy-bitsy sister Marie to join in the activities.

David knew his parents needed help, so at the age of 7 he got a paper route and tried to help ends meet. He worked odd jobs often (dishwashing, lawn mowing, etc.) and did his best to help his family financially. At the age of 16 he worked as a roofer. He struggled a bit in school, and asked permission to leave school and enlist in the Army at age 17, where he excelled. He spent time in Colorado, and in Germany, where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1962, and served 3 years in the Army Reserves. He remained a proud Veteran and a proud American throughout his life.

David met his bride-to-be, Lillian Gonzalez, on a blind date in November 1962, and they were married 9 months later. They had 3 children together - David Michael, Sandra Renee and Russell Alan. The couple moved from their apartment on Stockbridge Avenue and purchased our family home in Alhambra, where we still gather today. We shared many wonderful family memories, including memorable trips to Carlsbad Caverns, the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, and more. David loved the outdoors, and we often hiked and had beach parties. So many fun times to remember!

As a teenager, David began to struggle with alcoholism. The struggle haunted him into his mid-40's, when he volunteered to accompany a friend to an AA meeting. He told me once, that something at that first meeting "rang his bell"... He got to know his higher power. He made amends as often and as thoroughly as he could. He had a great sponsor, and that made him into a great sponsor. He helped many "friends of Bill" on their own journeys to recovery. Weeks before he passed away, David celebrated 35 years of sobriety. Our family will always be grateful and proud of this accomplishment.

David was a gifted Master Electrician, and had a knack for fixing and maintaining large machinery. He eventually obtained his California Contractor's License and opened up Dave's Electric Company, with help from his oldest son, Davy. He had many loyal customers, and he enjoyed his work even after his retirement. His crowning achievement was the installation of electronic controls for a large airplane wing-lift, which he built and installed for Boeing in Northern California. He was so very proud of that job!

David had many favorite pastimes, which included cribbage, the Poker Room at any local casino, hiking, biking, rock climbing, golfing and bowling. He was a member of the Sierra Club, and he bowled several times per week in a senior bowling league in Arcadia until the pandemic shutdown in March of 2020.

David loved his dogs, and he loved his family. He was over-the-moon in love with this first and only grandchild, Jane Lillian. The two of them spent countless hours together and formed a special bond. David was diagnosed with congestive heart failure when Jane was still very young. He worried that he might not live to see her high school graduation. Thankfully (and with his wife's care) he saw Jane graduate, and spent 4 more wonderful years with us.

We celebrated David's 80th birthday at home, with cake and good food and music. He had a few setbacks, and went into the hospital on July 30th. We lost him on Monday August 23rd.

David lost his oldest son, Davy, in December 2010. We know that Davy was the first one in line to greet his father when he crossed over. He is also met there by his parents, his brother Danny, his sister Anita, and so many other dear friends and family. We trust that he is in their loving arms, and that David and his son are together again, re-wiring the stars in the sky or climbing up the clouds in Heaven.

We love and miss you very much, David Henry Noriega. You are gone, but will never be forgotten.