Obituary of Alfred Anthony Rodia

FEDERAL WAY - Alfred Anthony Rodia, fondly known as Al, Freddie or "The Old Man," died peacefully, December 6, 2008, at home surrounded by his family. He recently moved to Federal Way from Kent where he lived for 43 years. Al was born December 13, 1921 in Rainier Valley (Seattle) to Italian immigrant parents, John and Rose Rodia. He was the nephew of Las Angeles Watts Towers builder Simon Rodia. His early years were spent on the family farm raising vegetables for sale at the Seattle Public Market. Al worked at several occupations that included: chef, house painter, and bridge (Aurora) painter. He had a 35 plus year career with Washington Natural Gas Company (now Puget Sound Energy) as a ditch digger/swamper, delivery man, store(s)keeper and supervisor of the Georgetown storeroom. He was known for his blunt, loud and salty language. To him, right was right and wrong was wrong and there was nothing in between. Strong willed and willing to argue any point, he seldom strayed from the belief he was always right. Beneath all that bluster and forthrightness was a man who always put his family before himself and provided and assisted them throughout his life. It pleased him to deprive himself so that he might provide for his family both while alive and after his death. Al is survived by his sons, Ralph (Mike) and wife Donna, of Salem, Oregon and Gary D. and wife Judy, of Federal Way. His second son, Alfred Dennis and wife Shirley preceded Al in death in 1999 and 2006 respectively. Surviving grandchildren are Sandy of Bovey, Minnesota, Laurie of Portland, Oregon, Dennis Jr., Denise, Shawn, Danielle, and Jarrett all living in the Seattle area, Amber and Javier Parrilla of Federal Way, Tiffani Pugh and Jennifer Kirkpatrick of Salem, Oregon and numerous great-grandchildren as well as several great-great grandchildren. Al was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary, Ann and Josephine and brothers Jim, Billy and Matty. Als wish was to be cremated and his ashes scattered over his beloved garden. A private celebration of "The Old Mans" life will be held in the spring just prior to vegetable planting(s).