Dcn. Carlos Alfaro

Deacon Carlos Alfaro lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Carlos was humble, generous, loving and kind man. He listened with his heart, gave wise advice, and touched everyone’s heart by making it clear that they are loved. He welcomed each day as a gift and every person as a friend. In doing so, he proved to be a powerful role model and was much loved. With the patience and unwavering faith of a saint, Carlos was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and servant of the Lord, who will long be remembered by those he so dearly loved and served.

The year 1953 was marked by a nation that began to lean into a much-welcomed time of peace. The first polio vaccine was developed, the first color television sets, transistor radios, Corvette cars and the first James Bond novel made its debut. It was a time of much hope. Nowhere was there a greater cause to celebrate the possibilities of hope than in the hearts and home of Jose and Eloisa (Rodriguez) Alfaro as they welcomed their son Carlos and twin sister into their family on September 28, 1953, in Lubbock, Texas.

As a baby, Carlos was known to help himself to his twin sister’s bottle. One of thirteen children, the family moved to Fennville, Michigan, when Carlos was six years old. He attended school in Fennville and ran to home and school for lunch because he wanted to stay in shape. He enjoyed playing sports with his brothers and friends, but playing basketball was his favorite. Once, while playing in the cherry orchard, and using his BB gun. He and a few friends placed bets on whether they could shoot a BB through a cherry. Carlos succeeded in the challenge but also managed to shoot his friend Javier in the butt! Carlos worked in the fields with his parents and learned that discipline and staying on track were essential values. He was naturally kind, and when he noticed a classmate at school whose family was less fortunate, he befriended her. After telling his parents and brother-in-law Tony about her, they helped the family out.

While Maria was at a wedding reception, Carlos was out playing basketball. Mind you, he had no intention of going to this same reception. His cousin convinced him to go, after much nagging, and Carlos decided he would just go to hang out and hear the music. Carlos had the good fortune of meeting his future wife, Maria. As he had been playing basketball earlier in the day and was not dressed for the reception, Carlos spotted Maria and, cautiously, slowly made his way to where she sat. Maria spotted him near the door and thought he was drunk because he was swaying from side to side and moving slowly. When Maria caught Carlos’ eye, he decided to stay at the reception and ask her to dance. When he approached her, he curtsied and asked, “Would you like to dance?” Maria felt like a queen, and said, “Yes.” Seeing that he was handsome, polite and not drunk, she got up and they danced all night. Love at first sight for both Carlos and Maria, the couple dated and 2 years later made plans to marry.

For a time, Carlos worked with the Fennville school system. As the commute was long, he sought a job in the Kalamazoo area, eventually securing work at International Paper Company where he worked for 45 years. Carlos worked every single role at the mill, stepping into the work with pride, commitment, and hard work to ensure his wife and children had what they needed. At one point, he even asked his daughter Teresa which shift he should work, so that he could best help with her son. Loved by many, many co-workers came in from all shifts to see and wish him well at his surprise retirement party from IPC. They formed a line out the door, everyone made speeches and showered him with so much love.

Carlos was very involved in family home projects. He loved to help others, and working on cars, laying floors, joking in annoyance that “I lifted the floor, and there was ANOTHER floor underneath it!” He happily mowed his neighbors’ lawns with his zero-turn mower and hated dandelions. Whenever he saw someone blow dandelion seeds, he was devastated! He also hated flies and would not rest if one was in the house. As soon as he spotted a fly, he’d passionately declare, “GET THAT FLY!”

A man who found joy in life’s simple pleasures, Carlos loved making breakfast with eggs, bacon, potatoes, and tortillas for his kids, grandkids, and guests. He enjoyed chicken alfredo, every kind of popcorn! Carlos’ love for playing basketball often resulted in him suffering from cramps in the middle of the night as he grew older. Nonetheless, he didn’t want to stop playing. He loved to test his kids and grandkids with math questions, or state capitols, and Spanish words. He tried to keep them on their toes and their minds sharp, always looking for the opportunity to teach and share knowledge.

Outside of his job, Carlos worked for the Lord; he wrote and delivered speeches and was an advocate for the unborn and human rights. He and Maria, his wife, worked tirelessly serving the Lord in the many church and community ministries. The migrant ministry was very close to his heart, Carlos and Maria would visit the migrant camps regularly, to read the word of God and sing in praise. He loved singing whenever and wherever, especially at church! He had such a beautiful voice and strong faith in the Lord. Carlos was Ordained as a Deacon in April of 2024, after 6 years of studies. He was currently assigned at Immaculate Conception Church, in Hartford, where they have been attending for 50 years. Carlos had the honor to serve at his granddaughter Liliana’s confirmation Mass, thanks to Dcn Fred, who was originally supposed to serve. Carlos was beyond generous and always thought of ways to support others. If he had a dollar to his name, and you needed a dollar, he would be the first to give it to you. He also donated food, clothes, shoes, and anything else he could, to help lighten others’ hardships.

Though our days with him were too few, every moment we shared with Carlos is a gift we shall long treasure. In his good company, we learned how to give generously, live faithfully, listen with our hearts, enjoy life’s simple pleasures, cherish our relationships, and balance hard work with family time. May we find much comfort in our many wonderful memories of the great man we were blessed to know. We will honor him by continuing to carry forward his legacy of faith, hope, love and patience.

Carlos Alfaro, age 71, died on August 15, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Eloisa (Rodriguez) Alfaro, infant brothers John and Jesse, his sister Connie Alfaro his brother Rudy Alfaro. Surviving is his wife Maria, children: Santos (Joy), Teresa (Ted); grandchildren: Facio, Liliana, Ariana; siblings: Marylou (Jesus), Rita (Benito), Deacon Jose (Consuelo), Chris (Tony), twin sister Margaret (Donato), Olga (Rick), twins Peter (Lucy) and Paul (Yolanda); and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM with a Rosary to follow at 7 PM at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M-40, Paw Paw, MI (269) 657-3870. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Immaculate Conception at 11 AM—internment at Maple Grove Cemetery in Hartford, MI. A reception will follow at Immaculate Conception Church Hall.

Celebrate Carlos’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to his parish Immaculate Conception Church.