Edhat Staff
A longtime Santa Barbara restaurant worker and bartender has passed nearly two months after having a heart attack.
Alfredo Arroyo was the former general manager of Cafe de Sol in Montecito for 39 years and most recently was the bartender at Joe’s Cafe by day and manager of the Crocodile Restaurant at the Lemon Tree Inn by night.
Arroyo suffered a cardiac event on November 7 and underwent open heart surgery two days later. During his recovery he development pneumonia and was transferred from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to UCLA Medical Center.
His family created an online fundraiser last month to help ease financial burdens with the loss of two incomes as Arroyo’s wife of 40 years, Adriana, temporarily resided in Los Angeles to be close to her husband.
On Tuesday, Arroyo’s family posted an update on the GoFundMe page stating Arroyo passed peacefully among his family on December 25, at UCLA hospital. He underwent another emergency surgery on December 18 due to complications and again on December 20, but unfortunately, due to complications from those surgeries his body was unable to recover.
“Alfredo was a man who was full of life and endless love for all. In his final hours he was still sharing words of wisdom, encouragement and reassurance of his devoted faith and love for his family,” his family wrote on the fundraising page. “As Alfredo took his last breath he was surrounded by his devoted and loving wife Adriana of 40 [years], his sons Ivan and Eric, daughter Jessica, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Alfredo’s mother and his siblings. His courage through this entire battle to survive is a testament to his character. He was a man that was gracious, gave without question and invited all to feel welcomed and loved.”
The funeral arrangements are being planned and will be announced at a later date.
The family thanks family, friends and the community of supporters who have donated, sent kind words, and memories.
The fundraising page has so far raised nearly $130,000. Donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-alfredo-arroyo-fight-for-life
