Renato Mabalay Buenafe

Born to Valeriano and Felipa Buenafe, Renato emerged into an ever-growing community in Paringao, Bauang, La Union, Republic of the Philippines. Renato was ready to take on the world at an early age. In 1955, with an eye for adventure and travel, Renato enlisted into the United States Navy and completed boot camp at NTC San Diego.

Renato was first stationed aboard the USS Estes. Subsequently, his next duty stations were - USS Luzon, USS Ajax, RECSTA T.I. San Francisco, NAVSUPPACT Da Nang, Vietnam, PATRON 40, COMCRUDESGROUP PACFLT, COMNAVSURFORCES PACFLT, ANTISUBRON 29, USS Leahy, and PERSUPPACTDET NRMC. Senior Chief Buenafe retired at PERSUPPACTDET NAVSTA San Diego in January 1985.

With all the time he had following his retirement, he ventured to learn about cars where he earned an A.S. degree in Auto Body & Frame and a certificate in Auto Engine Repair at Southwestern Community College. His newfound skills allowed him to fix and repaint his treasured Pontiac Firebird in Cherry Red and maintained the vast hand-me-down cars of the Buenafe clan.

Prior to joining the military, Renato met the beautiful Rizalina and courted her until they entered holy matrimony in December of 1957. This month would have been their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Renato is survived by his loving wife Rizalina, children Rene & wife Linda, Roselynn, Rachel, Rodney, Rhonda & husband Scott; grandchildren Rolando & wife Cheryl, Raelina, Brittany, Ricardo, Deanna, Jordan, Arianna & husband Trent, Christian, Nathaniel, Lucas, Benjamin; and great-grandchildren Kalilah, Antwon, Isabella, Micaiah, Isaiah, and Owen.