Peter Ayala
August 24, 1931 - September 30, 2021
Peter, 90, of Highland, IN, peacefully gained Eternal Rest on Thursday September 30, 2021.
He was born in East Chicago, IN to Salvador and Esperanza (Ramirez) Ayala.
He is survived by his daughters: Kathryn Ayala (Lawrence) Kallas and Maria (Kevin) Cortopassi; grandchildren: Michael and Elena Kallas; siblings: Elena (Gene) Cundiff, Alfredo Ayala and Maria (Roger) Theis; nieces and nephew: Christina (Ayala) Harris, John (Dierdre Shepard) Ayala, Hope Ayala, Elisa Ayala, Jennifer (Benjamin) Ogden, Maria (Raymond) Lancaster; great nieces and great nephew: Hailey and Hannah Ayala, John Ayala Harris.
He was preceded in death by his loving and ever devoted wife of 66 years, Dorothy J. Ayala; brothers, Antonio and Ignacio Ayala.
He very fondly remembered numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and close friends from the Ayala, Ramirez, Todoroff, Avalos, and Cloghessy families. Thank you for your kindness towards him and presence in his life.
Peter graduated high school from Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond, IN. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, where he met and married his wife. He returned to the NWI area, was employed and retired from the Gary, IN, Linde Union Carbide Plant. He always had a love of music and for singing. He sang in the Air Force, was a member in the Our Lady of Grace Parish choir and served at one time as the director of the "Mater Dei Carmelite Choir" at the Carmelite Monastery, Munster, IN. He was an ever present sports fan. He followed BNI football and basketball and enjoyed taking his daughters and sometimes family to the end of season tournament games. The mid 70's - late 80's were most memorable and exciting for him. Being a die hard ND football fan was tough. Walking on egg shells around him on a Sunday after a ND loss was frequent some seasons, yet he always remained a fan whether ND won or lost. Thank you ND for that September 25, 2021 Wisconsin win. Being a Cubs fan wasn't always so easy either. He always joined in and recited, along with thousands of other Cubs fans, the iconic saying at the end of the season, "Well, maybe next year." How he enjoyed that 2016 ride, "Holy Cow!"
He is with family and friends who've gone before him now, may perpetual light shine upon him.
Visitation will be Friday, October 8, 2021 from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm at Ridgelawn Funeral Home, 4201 W Ridge Road, Gary, IN, with prayer service at 5:00 pm.
(Facial mask protection required and no food or drink will be available on premises during the visitation event for continued safety during COVID restrictions. Thank you for understanding.)
Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 3025 Highway Avenue, Highland, IN, 46322.
Final viewing in church vestibule will be allowed from 9:45 am - 10:25 am before 10:30 am Mass.
In lieu of florals we ask that donations be directed to either of the organizations listed below:
Carmelite Father's, 1628 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, 46321;
Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600 Superior Avenue, Munster, IN, 46321;
Cancer Research Institute (CRI): "cancerresearch.org" online, by phone:1(800) 992-2623 or by mail with downloaded form from CRI site.
Thank you.
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