José Antonio Ayala

José Antonio Ayala, Jr. 38, of New Haven, CT died suddenly at St. Vincent Hospital, Bridgeport, CT on Sunday, January 19, 2026. José was born in New Haven on April 4, 1987, a son of Vilma Castellano of New Haven and José Antonio Ayala of New York City, and was a lifelong resident of the city. 

He was graduated from Plat Tech in 2002 with a passion for mechanics. He referred to himself as "Tito the Body Man", and had an excitement for working on and modifying cars. He was artistic and adventurous, and never shied away from trying new things or going to new places. José was the kind of person that was down for a good time, always chasing thrills and new experiences.

In addition to his parents, José is survived by his daughter Tessa Rose Ayala of Bristol, two sons, Antonio José Ayala of Bristol and Emiliano José Antonio Ayala of New Haven, four sisters, Vilmarie (Manuel Arce) Ayala, Jannette (Samuel Ruíz) Ayala-Ruíz, Brenda (Angel Montalvo) Ayala and Daisy Marie (Luís Carlos Sosa) Ayala-Sosa, all of New Haven, and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

José's family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, January 27th from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, 769 Ella T. Grasso Blvd., New Haven. washingtonmemorialfh.com 

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