Wallace “Wally” Ralph Lonsway

September 6, 1936 – September 25, 2025

Wallace Ralph Lonsway, born in Sacramento, California, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on September 25, 2025, in Walnut Creek, California. He was the devoted husband of 54 years to the late Enes Tonda Lonsway and a loving father to their four children: Sabrina, Alica, Thomas, and Anthony.

Born to Herve George Lonsway and Mable Nay Spurlock Lonsway, Wallace grew up in a large family, including his brother Eugene and late siblings Alice, Albert, Ruby, and Lilly. As a young boy, he delighted in working with electronics, repairing televisions, radios, and motorized vehicles. In his teenage years, Wallace followed in his father’s footsteps as an EMT, proudly driving an ambulance to serve his community.

After graduating from high school, Wallace enlisted in the U.S. Army (1954–1957), serving in the Army Security Agency (ASA). He was stationed at Fort Ord, Fort Monmouth, Fort Huachuca, and spent much of his service in Sinop, Turkey, working alongside the Turkish military to monitor Soviet activity. His service and experiences are preserved in a published military video interview housed at the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2….

Following his honorable discharge, Wallace pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Chico. He dedicated his career to supporting the United States Navy as an Electrical Engineer at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. An expert in his field, he frequently took special assignments at other Navy shipyards, retiring with full honors in 1990.

Wallace and Enes made their home in Novato, California, where he was admired for his devotion to family and his professional excellence. During the early years of raising a family, he was an avid sailor, taking his children on adventurous—and sometimes thrilling—multi-night ocean voyages. Later, he enjoyed horseback riding and exploring the hills of Marin County with his beloved mule, Jeepers. As a volunteer with the Marin Horse Council Mounted Patrol, Wallace worked to keep the county’s open-space trails safe and welcoming for all.

Known affectionately as “Uncle Wally,” he also shared his love of gardening and farming with his nieces and nephews, cultivating corn, broccoli, peas, and artichokes at “Uncle Wally’s Farm” each summer. In later years, he enjoyed bocce ball, traveling with his wonderful wife to destinations such as Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, New Zealand and Australia. Wallace then became a cherished member of the Montecito community in Concord, CA where he could often be found at social mixers, participating in bingo, and sharing joy with all who met him, often accompanied by his loyal canine companion, Stella.

Wallace is survived by his children, Sabrina Mariani (Steven Puccinelli), Alicia Popino (David), Thomas (Karen), and Anthony Lonsway; nine grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Enes and his two brothers-in-law, Ricardo and Joseph Tonda, whom he regarded not as in-laws, but as true brothers in life.

Wallace’s legacy of storytelling, adventure, and devotion to family and community will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.

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