Alfred H. Arias, 84, passed away at home on September 20, 2024. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on May 25, 1940, the 7th child of Antonia and Benito Arias. He was united in marriage to his wife, Deborah (Juscik) Arias on September 27, 1984.
He grew up in an extremely close and loving family, and learned values that he carried and shared throughout his life. The Arias family moved to Colorado and Al told many stories of working on the family farm in Sterling. He went to East High School in Denver and then pursued a career in the culinary arts. He was skilled in several cuisines, and worked at the Ridgeway Inn and Swiss Bells in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. His career took him to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he worked at La Fonda’s, a Japanese restaurant, and owned a fish and chip shop.
He made his way back to Colorado and became the Head Chef at the Black Forest Inn in Black Hawk. He mastered German cooking, and created exceptional dishes, as his friends and family can attest! It was here that he met his wife Debby, and in 1985 they had their daughter, Elena. In 1999, Al and Deb went into partnership with Bill and Kay Lorenz to move the Black Forest Restaurant to Nederland, Colorado. He loved being a chef, met countless lifelong friends and would joke that he was a Mexican cooking German food.
Al loved living in the mountains and after retirement he focused on his other passions in the outdoors and creative arts. He loved spending time outside, skiing, working with flowers and landscaping, as well as painting and woodworking. He enjoyed watching game shows, old movies, and all sports. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends, playing pool, and watching Denver Broncos football.
Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Ben Arias, Rachel Lira, Albert Arias, Aurora Correa, Ernest Arias, and Adam Arias. He is survived by wife Deborah Arias and daughter Elena Logan (Aden), of Gilpin County, sisters-in-law, Toni Arias (Adam) of Deatsville, Alabama, and Della Arias (Ernest) of Trinidad, Colorado, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Al radiated love, joy, and happiness which he spread to everyone he met and will be cherished by his family and friends forever. Remember him in the garden of memories where he will be forever treasured.
Flowers are welcome, as Al loved them very much, but if you would want to make a donation in his memory, please make it to the Foothills Animal Shelter in Golden, Colorado.
Family and friends are invited to attend a service at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, on Friday, October 4, 2024. Visitation and viewing will begin at 11 a.m. Service at 1 p.m., interment to follow at 2 p.m. and reception beginning at 2:45 p.m.
