BAUTISTA, Ernesto Ayala

Ernesto Ayala Bautista age 90, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away at his home peacefully in his sleep on December 14, 2009. Preceded in death by his lovely wife, Hortencia Vargas Bautista; brother, Vicente Bautista; sisters, Socorro "Cora" Silvas, Grace Baaba, Connie "Concha" Skinner and Josephine Lopez. Survived by brother, Raymundo Bautista; sisters, Guadalupe Lefkowitz and Artemisa Arvizu; daughters, Lucia B. Dominguez, Ernestine B. Gallego, Alice B. Otero (Robert); son, Joe Bautista; 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren. Ernesto met and married his wife in 1943, and also joined the U.S. Army the same year to serve his country. Discharged in 1945, Ernesto continued working in the family business "Bautista's Shoe Shop" established by his father in Tucson since 1901 as an expert shoe cobbler. Ernesto later learned to be a skilled tradesman and became a layout man and industrial welder. He gave more than 35 years to Chapman Dyer Steel, and was also the local Union Steward for his fellow coworkers. Ernesto was also active in the American Legion Knights of Columbus. After retiring from steelwork, Ernesto returned to the family business that his father started and his brothers maintained. Ernesto was very intelligent and loved to analyze how to fix things, be it a simple shoe repair, boots made from scratch, or a horse saddle needing a stitch or two. He loved to use his brain to resolve any challenge presented to him. A natural talent Ernesto used throughout his working career. Ernesto and his wife raised four children and later were granted the opportunity to raise a second family of their four grandchildren who all grew up in their grandparents' loving home. Ernesto gave everything he had to his family, instilled great work ethics, promoted higher education, and taught respect for one another. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 20, 2009, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY (South Chapel), 240 S. Stone Ave., with Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be offered Monday, December 21, 2009, 10:00 a.m., St. John's Church, 602 W. Ajo Way. Interment to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY, INC. (Obituary published in Arizona Daily Star, 12/18/2009.)