Albert Varela

Albert Gameroz Varela, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and Godfather who leaves behind a large and grateful family forever touched by his quiet and loving nature, and his kind and generous soul. Albert (Al) was a New Year Baby and was fortunate to celebrate his 93rd birthday two days before his death on January 2nd, 2020 due to a bout of pneumonia. Having received last rites from Fr. Ricardo Villarreal of Holy Redeemer Church, Albert left this world quietly surrounded by his family to join “his rib”, Augustina (Tina) Varela, beloved wife of 68 years who preceded him in death on June 21, 2008. Husband and wife are now at final rest, side-by-side in ultimate peace in the arms of their Lord and Savior. In addition to his wife, Albert is preceded in death by his mother and father, Pablo and Ramona Varela, his brother, John Varela, his sisters, Nellie Rivera, Josephina Rivas, and Eluteria Alvarado, his grandson, Michael Albert Varela, and his son, Faustino (Tino) Marcelo Varela. Albert is survived by his son Arturo (Art) Gregorio Varela (wife Kami) of Grandview, WA., daughter Dolores (Lori) Victoria Varela of Yakima, WA., daughter Cynthia (Cindi) Louise Varela (husband Dan Terry) of Mill Creek, WA., his grandchildren: Christa Michele Varela of Yakima, WA., Nicholas Hunter Varela-Terry of Mill Creek, WA., Monica Taylor Terry of Mill Creek, WA., and Hunter Albert Varela of Grandview, WA., and his great-grandchildren: Joshua Andrew Varela of Antelope, CA., and Taylor Michele Colton of Yakima, WA. After returning from service in WWII as a Soldier-of-Choice in the U.S. Army, Albert married his longtime sweetheart, Augustina Morales, in Walla Walla, Washington on May 7th, 1951. Together they started their family, relocating to Yakima, Washington in 1952. Albert later became a long-time resident of Grandview, Washington and was known widely throughout the Lower Yakima Valley as the ever-present proprietor of Al’s Shoe Repair on Second Street. Having moved his family there from Yakima in 1972, Albert established his business and served the entire Lower Valley community tirelessly for 37 years before retiring in 2009. No job was too small for this humble shoe repairman; with his wife by his side, they tended to dancing shoes and cowboys boots alike. Whether broken straps, missing buckles, broken heels, or holey soles, Al made old things shine. To know Albert was to know his quiet, unassuming strength, the love that sparkled in his eyes as you told him stories, and the generosity that became part of his being from his humble beginnings in life. Godfather to many and consummate, quiet supporter to those in need, Mr. Alberto Gameroz Varela exemplified the qualities of a gentle man and will be missed deeply by all who were lucky enough to know him. Please join us for a final viewing, memorial service, and reception taking place in Grandview, Washington at the Anchor Point Church at 609 W. Bonnieview Road on January 10th, 2020. Viewing begins at 10:00 a.m., Service at 12:00 p.m., and Reception at 2:30 p.m. Albert will be laid to rest at 1:30 p.m. under the direction of Valley Hills Funeral Home at Grandview Cemetery, 43 E. Elm Street, Grandview, Washington. Those wishing to leave a personal tribute, or make arrangements for floral delivery, may do so at www.ValleyHillsfh.com On behalf of The Varela Family, we give our sincere thanks to the nurses and staff at Willow Springs Care & Rehabilitation and at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital for the love, care, and compassion they provided our father in his final days. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Albert Varela, please visit our flower store.