Mateo N. Marmolejo Sr.

Mateo Narag Marmolejo was born June 12, 1928 in San Fabian, Pangasinan, Philippines to Jose and Felipa Marmolejo. He was raised with one sibling, Saturina Seraon. Mateo also attended and graduated from San Fabian High School.

At a young age, Mateo met and fell in love with Aurora Villapando Manalo and the couple exchanged wedding vows on June 10, 1951. The ceremony took place at Malvar Catholic Church in Batangas, Philippines. Mateo and Aurora were blessed with eight children; Armando, Mateo Jr., Lydia, Marlene, Ronald, Emma, William and Nilda. Later in life they received the joy of 15 grandchildren; Zaldy, Ace, Phillip, Andrew, Arman, Ronalyn, Kevin, Kristine, Aenea, Rachelle, Kyle, Stephanie, Bryan, Katrina and Justin. Being blessed again with 2 great- grandchildren, Zachary and Jacob.

Fortunately, Mateo enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Mateo worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. Mateo was employed as a Store Keeper for 10 years in the family Loompya business and more than 30 years of service in the Philippine Army.

Mateo enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various activities including gardening, exercising, playing Wicked Winning in the Casino, (babae) talking to neighbors and just enjoying the fresh air. Mateo loved to watch the CNN News and The Price is Right. He always watched American Soap Operas like the Bold and the Beautiful, All My Children, and the Young and the Restless. Most of all, he always loved to watch the Filipino channels like TFC and GMA.

He was always so proud to talk about his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He was especially known and the family’s “informant”. His personal accomplishments were:

• He was wounded during World War II

• He was able to send all his children to college and they were all able to finish

• He acquired a rental property with 10 rooms in the Philippines and rice fields

• He retired as a Store Keeper in the US at Family Loompya for 10 years

• He was a US Veteran with honorable discharge

• He was married to a perfect wife, Aurora Marmolejo

Mateo left us on March 1, 2012. He passed away at Paradise Valley Hospital of Heart Failure. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Armando, aka: Manding and Marian, Mateo Jr. aka: Boy and Josalyn, Lydia aka: Bibe and Ben, Marlene aka: Len, Ronald aka: Onnie and Lilly, Emma aka: Ima and Ferdinand, William aka: Tutoy and Theresa and Nilda aka: Bunso and Edgar.

Services were handled by Glen Abbey Mortuary. A Funeral Mass was held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in San Diego, California on March 10, 2012. Mateo Narag Marmolejo was later laid to rest at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California.