Daniel Eliceo Apodaca
Daniel Eliceo Apodaca, mariachi enthusiast, cigar lover, and beloved family man, passed away at his home in Altadena, California on Monday, August 31, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones. Dan was born on December 9, 1935 in Phoenix, Arizona to Eliceo and Amalia (née Lopez). At a very young age, Dan moved with his mother to California and grew up in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood to which he would always feel a permanent attachment. As a teenager, he was deeply involved in the East L.A. Drifters car club, a circle of friends with whom he would be close until the end of his life. After graduating from Garfield High School in 1953, Dan enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to Okinawa, where he learned Japanese prose that he could still recite at the age of 84. After leaving the Army, Dan enrolled in Cal State University at Los Angeles and graduated with a Bachelors in Accounting. In 1963, while attending his army buddy Ed Aguirre’s wedding in San Francisco, Dan met Ed’s sister Carmen and was enchanted. That same night, they had their first date at the city’s carnival-themed nightclub the Red Balloon, where Dan won a wind-up toy dog for Carmen they named Bumper and that they kept until Carmen placed it on his deathbed. Dan and Carmen married on September 11, 1965, and in a few short years, Dan, who had spent his boyhood primarily alone with his mother, had a full home complete with five children. Dan was a fearless businessman and became a Certified Public Accountant and ran his own successful Pasadena-based firm at the same location for forty years. He was a joke-telling boss who told it like it is. A proud son of Los Angeles, Dan’s favorite tours of L.A. always included Pershing Square where he sold newspapers as a boy; Union Station, where he watched soldiers and their families share emotional goodbyes before they boarded trains to leave for the war; and Philippe’s, where he regularly enjoyed their famous French dip sandwiches. Although not a musician himself, Dan was passionate about music – particularly jazz and Mexican music. He frequented the legendary Haig jazz club in L.A., where they saw the likes of Gerry Mulligan perform. He loved talking history, political debates at the dinner table, and telling naughty jokes. Mel Brooks movies were his favorite. Every year he gathered a massive group to attend the Rose Parade. A foodie, he loved to frequent his favorite restaurants and always learned the names of the waiters and valets. His travels took him from the peaks of Machu Pichu to Europe, Israel, Istanbul and Russia with his constant companions John and Alicia Noyes. He was an avid collector, particularly antiques, artwork, and offbeat curios. He enjoyed having new experiences and was always up for an adventure, especially if he could bring everyone – including folks he’d just met – along, because, more than anything, Dan loved people. He would chat enthusiastically with anyone who crossed his path and considered everyone he met, no matter how casually, a friend. Dan opened his home to one and all. He enjoyed throwing parties, hosting dinners, and sponsoring events – anything that could bring people from all walks of life together for him to enjoy. Dan accepted people as they were and didn’t hold grudges. He was deeply loyal to his family members and friends – supporting their endeavors and helping them whenever and however he could. Having grown up without his father in his life, Dan served as a paternal figure to many and as a mentor to many more. A strong contributor to his community, Dan served on the California State Lottery Commission and on the boards of Nosotros, Bienvenidos, and the Mariachi Heritage Society. With Carmen, he was a supporter of many local cultural institutions, including the Los Angeles Master Chorale. For many years, he was also a member of the Jonathan Club. Dan was proud of his Mexican heritage and of a life’s journey that took him from humble beginnings in East Lost Angeles to abundant success in Altadena, a success he joyfully and generously shared with everyone in his world. As someone who knew Dan has remarked: “I have never known someone who lived life so fully.” Dan is missed terribly by his wife Carmen Apodaca (née Aguirre) of Altadena and his children Daniel (Shayly) of La Verne, California; David; Ana Maria (Ray Morton) of Altadena; Michael of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Gina Fenard (David) of Altadena. Dan is also survived by his sister Gwendolyn Gallegos (Richard) of Tucson, Arizona; brother Jerry Apodaca (Norma) of Tucson; Arizona; cousin JoAnne Kafkaloff (Matt) of Sierra Madre; grandchildren Andrew Apodaca, Ariana Apodaca, Carina Apodaca, Cecilia Apodaca, Isabella Apodaca, Eva Fenard, and Hugo Fenard; nephews Thomas Bernal, Marcus Apodaca, CJ Apodaca, and Alex Gallegos; niece Marisa Gallegos; family friend Ines Rivera, and a multitude of additional family and friends. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 10:00am at Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery, located at 2400 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in Altadena, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Services can also be accessed remotely. If you desire to make a financial donation in Dan’s name, the family suggests you support the Mariachi Heritage Society which provides culturally rich experiences for children through free or low-cost mariachi music instruction. If you wish to share a recorded or written message for the family or would like information to access the livestream link, please contact apodacamemories@gmail.com.Obituary
Daniel Eliceo Apodaca, mariachi enthusiast, cigar lover, and beloved family man, passed away at his home in Altadena, California on Monday, August 31, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones. Dan was born on December 9, 1935 in Phoenix, Arizona to Eliceo and Amalia (née Lopez). At a very young age, Dan moved with his mother to California and grew up in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood to which he would always feel a permanent attachment. As a teenager, he was deeply involved in the East L.A. Drifters car club, a circle of friends with whom he would be close until the end of his life. After graduating from Garfield High School in 1953, Dan enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to Okinawa, where he learned Japanese prose that he could still recite at the age of 84. After leaving the Army, Dan enrolled in Cal State University at Los Angeles and graduated with a Bachelors in Accounting. In 1963, while attending his army buddy Ed Aguirre’s wedding in San Francisco, Dan met Ed’s sister Carmen and was enchanted. That same night, they had their first date at the city’s carnival-themed nightclub the Red Balloon, where Dan won a wind-up toy dog for Carmen they named Bumper and that they kept until Carmen placed it on his deathbed. Dan and Carmen married on September 11, 1965, and in a few short years, Dan, who had spent his boyhood primarily alone with his mother, had a full home complete with five children. Dan was a fearless businessman and became a Certified Public Accountant and ran his own successful Pasadena-based firm at the same location for forty years. He was a joke-telling boss who told it like it is. A proud son of Los Angeles, Dan’s favorite tours of L.A. always included Pershing Square where he sold newspapers as a boy; Union Station, where he watched soldiers and their families share emotional goodbyes before they boarded trains to leave for the war; and Philippe’s, where he regularly enjoyed their famous French dip sandwiches. Although not a musician himself, Dan was passionate about music – particularly jazz and Mexican music. He frequented the legendary Haig jazz club in L.A., where they saw the likes of Gerry Mulligan perform. He loved talking history, political debates at the dinner table, and telling naughty jokes. Mel Brooks movies were his favorite. Every year he gathered a massive group to attend the Rose Parade. A foodie, he loved to frequent his favorite restaurants and always learned the names of the waiters and valets. His travels took him from the peaks of Machu Pichu to Europe, Israel, Istanbul and Russia with his constant companions John and Alicia Noyes. He was an avid collector, particularly antiques, artwork, and offbeat curios. He enjoyed having new experiences and was always up for an adventure, especially if he could bring everyone – including folks he’d just met – along, because, more than anything, Dan loved people. He would chat enthusiastically with anyone who crossed his path and considered everyone he met, no matter how casually, a friend. Dan opened his home to one and all. He enjoyed throwing parties, hosting dinners, and sponsoring events – anything that could bring people from all walks of life together for him to enjoy. Dan accepted people as they were and didn’t hold grudges. He was deeply loyal to his family members and friends – supporting their endeavors and helping them whenever and however he could. Having grown up without his father in his life, Dan served as a paternal figure to many and as a mentor to many more. A strong contributor to his community, Dan served on the California State Lottery Commission and on the boards of Nosotros, Bienvenidos, and the Mariachi Heritage Society. With Carmen, he was a supporter of many local cultural institutions, including the Los Angeles Master Chorale. For many years, he was also a member of the Jonathan Club. Dan was proud of his Mexican heritage and of a life’s journey that took him from humble beginnings in East Lost Angeles to abundant success in Altadena, a success he joyfully and generously shared with everyone in his world. As someone who knew Dan has remarked: “I have never known someone who lived life so fully.” Dan is missed terribly by his wife Carmen Apodaca (née Aguirre) of Altadena and his children Daniel (Shayly) of La Verne, California; David; Ana Maria (Ray Morton) of Altadena; Michael of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Gina Fenard (David) of Altadena. Dan is also survived by his sister Gwendolyn Gallegos (Richard) of Tucson, Arizona; brother Jerry Apodaca (Norma) of Tucson; Arizona; cousin JoAnne Kafkaloff (Matt) of Sierra Madre; grandchildren Andrew Apodaca, Ariana Apodaca, Carina Apodaca, Cecilia Apodaca, Isabella Apodaca, Eva Fenard, and Hugo Fenard; nephews Thomas Bernal, Marcus Apodaca, CJ Apodaca, and Alex Gallegos; niece Marisa Gallegos; family friend Ines Rivera, and a multitude of additional family and friends. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 10:00am at Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery, located at 2400 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in Altadena, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Services can also be accessed remotely. If you desire to make a financial donation in Dan’s name, the family suggests you support the Mariachi Heritage Society which provides culturally rich experiences for children through free or low-cost mariachi music instruction. If you wish to share a recorded or written message for the family or would like information to access the livestream link, please contact apodacamemories@gmail.com.