Obituaries

Isaias “Sy” Amen passed away peacefully at his home on March 3, 2025, shy of his 95th birthday. He was born March 27, 1930, in Oakland, CA, and lived as a resident of Newark, CA for more than 65 years. He was a loving husband and dear father to his children Lisa (Andy), Joan (Steve), David (Tina), Mary (Adam) and Daniel (Trina). He has 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Evelyn Garcia Amen, parents Celerina and Nicolas Amen, sisters Eulalia “Dolly” Ragunton and Pauline Amen, brothers Simeon and John Amen, and infant grandson Jordan Amen. He is survived by his brother Abraham (Rosita) Amen, sister-in-law Marjorie Garcia Andrade, and many nieces and nephews.

Sy graduated from Stockton High School in 1947. He worked in Stockton before enlisting in the US Army, serving from 1949 to 1952. He was stationed at Fort Ord, CA and Fort Harrison, IN. While stationed at Fort Ord in the Monterey Bay area, he attended the Filipino basketball tournaments where he met the Garcia sisters, first Virginia, and later her younger sister, Evelyn. After being discharged from the Army, he returned to Stockton to go to college. He earned his Associate in Arts Degree from Stockton College in 1955. He and Evelyn “Evie” married in June 1958. They resided in Stockton and had their first child (Lisa) in 1959. To be closer to some of the Garcia family now living in Newark, CA, Sy & Evie relocated their young family to Newark in 1960. Four more children were added between 1962-1966. To help support his family for a time, Sy took a second job in the evenings at Thrifty Drugs. It was there he became affectionately known as the “Thrifty’s ice cream man”, who was very popular in the Newark community. Most everyone knew ‘Mr. Amen’. Classmates still mention fond memories of him, serving children and families with a big smile and the best scoops. Sy spent the latter part of his career as a data auditor for Ross Stores Inc., for many years. He retired from Ross in 2004 at the age of 74.

Sy enjoyed trips to Pacific Grove and Lake Tahoe, CA and to the Hawaiian Islands, HI. His favorite was the Big Island and he enjoyed trips to Maui and Oahu as well. He loved listening to Hawaiian music and looking at Hawaiian landscape and sea life artwork. He traveled with family to Turkey and Greece, following the footsteps of St. Paul. He traveled to the Philippine Islands with niece Maureen (Amen) Burrise in 2011 and made several trips to Lenoir, NC to visit his daughter and son-in-law, Joan & Steve.

Sy was a faithful member of St. Edward Catholic Church for more than 64 years.

His presence and sweet smile will be greatly missed. Family and friends are invited to attend a Vigil Service and Rosary on Sunday, April 6th at 6 pm at Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Monday, April 7th, at 10:30 am at St. Edward Catholic Church, 5788 Thornton Ave., Newark, CA 94560. A reception will follow immediately after Mass in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Edward Catholic Church in his memory. Rest in peace Dad.