Obituary of Rafael Arce Tovar

Lodi resident, Rafael Arce-Tovar, passed away Friday, July 14th after a brief illness. He was born February 11, 1965 in Mexicali, in Baja California, Mexico to parents Francisco Felipe and Celia Arce. 

Rafael was a parishioner of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and was a dedicated mechanic for over 40 years. He had a passion for cars and was so well known in the community as a fair and skilled mechanic, there was no need to advertise. He was a bonafide “foodie” and loved sushi and seafood, desserts, ice cream, and his daily Starbucks. Rafael loved tools, shopping, watching action movies and comedies; he liked plants and gardening. He was always working on something and never one to lay about. 

Rafael is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Yolanda Arce; their children, Yury Salgado (Girdaldo Rios), Yesenia Ramos (Julio), Johana Remmert (Michael), and Faustino Diaz (Roxana Santiago); eight grandchildren; his 3 brothers, 5 sisters, and many more dear family and friends. 

A Visitation will be held on Monday, July 24th at 4:30 p.m. followed by a Recitation of the Rosary at 5:00 p.m. at Lodi Funeral Home, 725 S. Fairmont Ave., in Lodi. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 215 W. Walnut St, with a committal to follow at Cherokee Memorial Park, Hwy 99 and Harney Ln, in Lodi.