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Rizalito “Rich or Ritchie” Evangelista, a retired carpenter for the City of Richmond, California passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2024 after living with pancreatic cancer for nearly 3 years. He was 80 years old. Rich was born on December 30, 1943 in San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines to Gliceria Concepcion and Eufrocenio Evangelista. In 1961, at the age of 17, Rich immigrated to the United States aboard an American passenger ship, the SS President Wilson. The journey took 20 days with stops in Hong Kong, Japan and Hawaii before reaching his final destination in San Francisco. Rich attended Heald College to study electronic technology but found his passion in carpentry through a woodworking apprenticeship. In 1966 he met a young woman, Presie Urban, who had just emigrated from the Philippines with her sister. The following year they were married and a few years later they welcomed their first daughter, Priscilla, followed by their second daughter, Robie. Rich worked for American Seating Company traveling throughout California installing custom seating for schools and stadiums. In 1978, after 12 years in San Francisco, Rich and Presie moved their family across the bridge to the suburb of Vallejo which they called home for 46 years. That same year, Rich began working for the City of Richmond, Department of Public Works, as a carpenter. He worked his way up the ranks to become Building Supervisor, managing an exceptional multidisciplinary team representing various trades. During his tenure at the City, Rich oversaw several large capital projects including a complete renovation of the City Council Chambers and Auditorium and relocating City Hall services to a temporary location in Marina Bay to accommodate a renovation and rehabilitation of the historic building. In 2009, after 31 years of civil service, Rich entered retirement and filled his days with a consistent exercise routine, cultivating and caring for his beloved garden and traveling the world with his wife, kids and grandchildren as often as they could. Rich is survived by his wife Presie; daughters Priscilla Olney (Marlen) and Robie (Ryan Cantorna); and grandchildren Paulyna, Mayson, Elyjah, Rory and Andrew. Rich was a devoted and loving family man, not only to his immediate family and circle of friends, but also to his extended family in the U.S., Philippines and United Kingdom. He will be remembered for his generosity, his beautiful garden, and his unrelenting optimistic outlook on life. His memory will live on in everyone whose life he touched. A wake service will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Skyview Memorial Lawn, 200 Rollingwood Drive, Vallejo, CA 94591, visitation hours from 3:00-7:00 pm, vigil service at 5:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 12:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3450 Tennessee Street, Vallejo, CA 94591. Entombment to follow at All Souls Cemetery, 550 Glen Cove, Vallejo, CA 94591.

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Rizalito Concepcion Evangelista

December 30, 1943 - October 1, 2024