David Joseph Arata

David Joseph Arata, 76, of Moorpark, California, passed away on April 10, 2024 at City of Hope Hospice Village in Duarte, California after a short battle with leukemia.

Dave was born to parents Mary Louise (Rupprecht) Arata and Russell Joseph Arata on August 28, 1947 in Trenton, New Jersey and grew up in Yardley, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bishop Egan High School in 1965. Dave went on to take temporary vows as a Franciscan brother in the monastery with the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular for 4 years, going by the name Brother Sirach, before beginning his career in ultrasonic engineering and sales. During his career, he obtained 2 patents in 1999 and 2014.

David met Judith Ann Smith in 1975. Devout Catholics, they were married on June 23, 1979 at St. Mary Church in Bordentown, New Jersey. He and Judy raised 3 children while residing in Hoffman Estates and Freeport, Illinois, and they relocated to California in 2008.

Dave was a collector of all things. He was an avid ham radio operator and communicated with people from all over the world. Dave was active with the Knights of Columbus fraternal organization as a 4th degree knight. He also liked to collect model trains and had a big interest in learning about his family's history and genealogy. Dave was a loving father and grandfather and enjoyed visiting with his grandkids.

Dave is survived by his mother Mary Louise Arata, son Matthew David Arata, daughters Michele Christine (Nathan) Cannon and Robin Leslie (Billy) Mollenhauer, brothers Robert Russell Arata, Alan Edward (Peg) Arata, Joseph Francis Arata, Mary Louise (Paul) Mercatanti, Karen Christine (Ray) Reinard, 5 grandchildren Amelia Cannon, Ethan Cannon, Evelyn Arata, Jolene Mollenhauer, and Woodrow Mollenhauer and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Judy and his father Russ.

The family has entrusted Perez Family Funeral Home with the arrangements.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for April 29, 2024 10:00 am at Holy Cross Church, Moorpark, California with burial to follow at Assumption cemetery in Simi Valley, California.

His family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Active Adult Center in Moorpark California where he and Judy spent some of their free time. (Donation checks may be made out to the City of Moorpark and sent to Active Adult Center, 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, CA 93021).