On Saturday, December 10 ^th , 2022, Dr. Alvaro Ivar Vasco De Gomes passed peacefully in his sleep inside his Laguna Woods home. Ivar was lovingly called "Poppy" by his children and grandchildren. He was born August 11, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Lakewood CA. Born to Virginia and Edward Vasco De Gomes, he had two siblings Eric Vasco (passed) and Genevieve Jackson.

Ivar married his high-school love, Susan Wacker; they eloped to Las Vegas on December 18, 1965 and had two children: Traysi and Tony. At the age of 23, Ivar was raising two young kids. He worked full-time, swing-shift,  at Northrop as a machinist while attending California State University, Long Beach. Ivar knew from a young age he wanted to become a dentist and realized his dream when he was accepted into UCLA's Dental School, graduating with his D.D.S in 1975. A mere year later, Dr. Vasco started his dental practice in Anaheim Hills, CA. as a cosmetic dentist. Dr. Vasco spent the next 44 years serving his community and crafting thousands of beautiful smiles. He demonstrated a talent, love, and passion for the profession of dentistry, his patients, and his long-time staff.

After 23 years of marriage, Ivar and Susan divorced in 1989 but remained close friends until his passing. Ivar met Dawn Matney at the grand opening of the Waterfront Hilton on October 24, 1990. They were wed on April 24, 1994 in Orange County surrounded by family and friends, ultimately sharing a beautiful partnership and marriage for 28 years. Ivar is survived by his wife Dawn Vasco, daughter Traysi Chong, son Tony Vasco, son-in-law Randy Chong, 5 grandchildren Ian, Dakoda, Dylan, Noah, Tatum, great-grandson Luca, stepsons Kevin and Brad, his sister Genevieve, and niece and nephew, Matt and Heather.

Ivar had an ABUNDANCE of energy and great LOVE for his mother, wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, and countless friendships. He had a fierce enjoyment of concerts, musicals, ice-cream, the OC Fair, sporting events (especially the Angels and UCLA), golf, travel and gardening. During mid-life he discovered a great enthusiasm for community theater; as thespians, he and Dawn performed in thirty plays together including: Music Man, Guys & Dolls, Scrooge, Phantom, Singing in the Rain, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, Me & My Girl, Evita, Arsenic and Old Lace, Annie, Anything Goes,  42 ^nd St, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Ivar was a true extrovert with an infectious smile, brilliant mind, authentic nature, beautiful wit, and a gifted dentist. His greatest attributes, however, were his kindness, generous heart, and devotion to family and friends. Even as Parkinson's challenged his physical functioning, it never diminished his positive outlook, love for life, and connection with friends and family.

Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, February 5th, 2023, 3pm at 19 Restaurant & Lounge, 24122 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. Please RSVP dawnvasco4630@yahoo.com