Rafael Acosta Zamora

Rafael Acosta Zamora was born on September 20th, 1948 to Francisca Zamora and Francisco Acosta in the small town of El Limon, Jalisco, Mexico. The fifth of 13 children, Rafael was a member of a very close knit and loving family that taught him so much about the joys of life. Rafael grew up alongside his 8 brothers and 2 sisters in the Port City of Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico after his father moved the family to the beach city in search of opportunity. This coastal city along the Pacific Ocean provided the backdrop for Rafael’s growth and development while always dedicating himself to support his family. His love for family, faith, the beach, soccer and Las Chivas de Guadalajara grew immensely over time while creating lasting bonds with all that he grew up or worked alongside.
In 1970, Rafael made the most crucial decision of his life following in his older brother Pablo’s footsteps to seek better life opportunities in the United States. His choice to leave his homeland and family to provide for his siblings, mother and father have resulted in positive outcomes for generations to come. His selfless choices were a staple of his way of living life, always sacrificing himself for the good and benefit of others. His journey from Manzanillo to Los Angeles led him to taking on the role of bus-boy at the Woodland Hills Sizzler Restaurant upon arrival. Little did he know that in that same restaurant, he would meet the love of his life and the future mother of his only son Rafael Acosta Jr. and rise to managing a series of Sizzler Restaurants throughout his 30 plus years of service. These decisions to seek a better life, help support his family back home and fall in love with Licho Santiago helped shape the course of history for his family in ways he never imagined growing up in rural and coastal Mexico. We are grateful for the courage he had to make these life changing decisions that created lasting impact in so many lives.
Ultimately, on Thursday, October 8th, 2020 the Acosta-Santiago Family lost their beloved Abuelo Mr. Rafael Acosta Zamora after battling cancer throughout 2020. Rafael lived a life of service to others through his thoughtful actions of love, compassion and impact. His life was dedicated to help change peoples lives in any way he could. He had an innate ability to build positive relationships with all that had the honor of meeting him. So many friends, relatives and co-workers will always remember his smile, chuckle and how he made them feel! His impact on this world will continue to be carried out through the people he met and loved during the course of his 72 years on Earth and through his beautiful granddaughters Alyssa & Samantha Acosta as they pursue the dreams that their abuelos actions have made possible.
We firmly believe our Abuelo Rafael is now serving all of our loved ones from heaven. We are thankful for the time we had with Abuelo Rafael and will honor his life through meaningful efforts to help change the world for those that need it the most, as he made clear while facing his most trying challenge in life. He is survived by his wife Endeliza Santiago de Acosta, their son Rafael Acosta Jr and his family and his remaining brothers and sisters living in the United States and Mexico. Thank you all and God Bless!!!