Obituaries

Irving “Irv” Alameda, age 95, a lifelong resident of Fremont, California, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born on December 24, 1930, in Fremont (then known as Centerville), Irv was the son of Antone and Pauline Alameda. Throughout his long and meaningful life, he was known for living with passion and joy, whether he was out on his fishing boats, chatting on the phone, working in his orchard, catching up on the day’s news in his cabana with a drink and cigar, or sharing stories from the past.

As a proud Fremont native and Washington High School Class of ’48 alumnus, Irv could recount countless stories of growing up in the Bay Area—dates with his future bride, Laura, at the Cloverdale Creamery; near-misses with the train that ran through town; who owned which house or what type of farm once stood on a given property; the best routes from one side of town to the other; and much more. When he and Laura weren’t spending time at their home in Glenmoor, they could often be found at their Lake Tahoe retreat. Irv loved being out on the lake all summer long, but he was just as content sitting on his deck among the trees, taking in the view of the lake below. He especially cherished the Fourth of July celebration, when fireworks lit up the sky overhead.

As a young man, Irv proudly served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean Conflict. His favorite moments while enlisted were on the baseball diamond, where he wowed crowds with his athletic talent. He returned to Fremont in the summer of 1954, eager to meet his one-year-old daughter and be reunited with his bride.

After his military service, Irv built a successful career at Pacific Bell, retiring after 34 years as a Second-level Engineering Manager. Following his retirement, he partnered with fellow phone company retirees to form TDSI, a contract engineering firm that supplied skilled temporary employees to the telecommunications industry. TDSI became a family business, with all three of Irv and Laura’s children joining the team, along with sons-in-law, granddaughters, and even a future grandson-in-law. The company was eventually acquired by AccuStaff in 1997, which allowed Irv to explore his next venture: purchasing SeaPower Marine in Oakland. He spent countless hours aboard his Mikelson yacht, embarking on fishing trips with friends and family from Alaska to Mexico.

Beyond his work and hobbies, Irv had a deep love for anything that kept him busy: the outdoors, golfing, hunting, and refurbishing vintage cars. He was also an avid gardener and, on occasion, delighted his family with his signature chiffon cake. Irv was known for his ingenuity—from home projects to business deals—and persevered until he found a solution.

Family was at the center of Irv’s life. He was the youngest of six children, raised in Fremont by his father, Antone, and devoted mother, Pauline. His siblings—Doris (Crowe) [deceased], Stanley Alameda [deceased], Shirley (Lorenz) [deceased], Harold Alameda [deceased], and Melford Alameda [deceased]—were his best friends, and they shared a lifelong bond. Irv had a gift for making friends wherever he went and was quick to add their phone numbers to his cell phone’s quick dial. He also held a special place in his heart for his beloved dogs, first Sammie and later Jenna, who were treasured companions throughout different chapters of his life. They brought him great comfort and joy, and his love for them was evident to all who knew him.

Irv is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years (and high school sweetheart), Laura Emery Alameda; his children: Stacie Abraham (spouse Dennis), Kimberly Olson (spouse Gary), and Gregory Alameda; his grandchildren: Tricia Abraham Christensen, Lyndsay Abraham Christensen (spouse Nathan), Blake Alameda, and Kylie Olson; his step-grandchildren: Ryan Olson (spouse Barbara) and Christopher Olson (spouse Allie); as well as seven great-grandchildren. They will forever cherish his love, wisdom, and the countless memories shared over the years.

An immediate family-only funeral was held on Friday, January 9, 2026. A celebratory memorial will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Irv’s name to:
• Washington High School Alumni Foundation (www.whsaf.org)
• American Cancer Society (www.donate.cancer.org)
• Sutter Hospice (www.sutterhealth.org/giving)
• Washington Hospital Service League (Washington Health: www.washingtonhealth.com/giving-volunteering/donate-now)

The family takes comfort in knowing that Irv lived a full and loving life, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations. A special thank you to Irv’s caregivers, Mercedes and Nick, who supported, loved, and cared for Irv until the end.