Richard S. Ayala, Sr. was a beloved husband, son, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, and coworker. He died July 31st after a tragic battle with the COVID-19. He was 75. He was not only a devoted and loyal husband to his wife, Rosie (May she rest in peace), but a loving father and grandfather. A caring brother, cousin, and uncle. A great friend and co-worker.
Richard had a smile and a twinkle in his eye that was impossible not to return. Although he was not the most educated, he was one of the smartest, wisest, and most skilled persons you could ever meet. He knew so much about so much, there was not a question asked that he would not know exactly what to say. He was also an all-around handy man. There was not an alternator he could not replace, a kitchen faucet he could not repair, or a ceiling fan he could not install. Richard was always there to lend a helping hand to family and friends, and he did so many a times without hesitation.
Above all else though, he had the biggest, most compassionate heart. His capacity for love was beyond words. It especially showed in his devotion to his wife Rosie and daughter Mootsie. He was his wife's caretaker for several years before she died from her long battle with Parkinson's Disease last October and he used his last few breaths to call to make sure his daughter was recovering from the horrible COVID-19 virus.
We only hope and pray he found solace knowing that all of us who loved him would honor his legacy and continue to care for each other even after he could no longer fight this terrible virus.
It is so heartbreaking that so many of us did not get to say our goodbyes; so, goodbye friend, goodbye brother, goodbye uncle, goodbye grandpa, goodbye dad. Thank you for all the ways in which you showed us how very much you loved us. We are so sorry that we were not able to be there with you as we all wanted to be. We will miss and love you for the rest of our lives.
He is preceded in death by his wife Rosie; his parents Ricardo and Blanca, and his younger brother Albert. He is survived by his daughter Rosalie "Mootsie"; four sons, Richard "Junger ", Robert (Yolanda), Roger (Jenny) and Raymond (Evonne); two sisters, Elaine and Macie; 15 grandchildren, Ricardo, Tlaloc, Aurelio, Roger Jr. "Roo", Michael, Albert, Rebeca, Jacob, Raven, Phoebe, Caesar, Alex, Raymond Jr., Jaimee and Andrew; and a great-grandchild, Bella; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews that he adored as they will always continue to adore him.

A great thanks to Arianna Chavez Lay for her contribution in writing this tribute.