Salvador G. Nafarrete

Salvador G. Nafarrete

January 20, 1927–April 8, 2014

A loving son

A faithful lover and husband

A wonderful father

A patriotic serviceman

And a good friend and relative

…that is Salvador!

Born to Justo Fran Nafarrete and Irene Neri Garcia on January 20, 1927 in Agno, Pangasinan, Philippines, Salvador (Buddy) attended grade school in Agno Elementary School, and pursued his high school education in the Pangasinan Provincial High School in Lingayen (the capital city of Pangasinan, Philippines).

He was a sophomore student when World War II broke out, and schools were shut down. Meanwhile, he joined the guerrilla unit in Northern Luzon until peacetime.

High school in Agno was established, so he continued his high school education in Agno high School. At Agno, he met his future bride, Miss Antonina Ruiz Rosete (Nina), a native of Burgos, Pangasinan. Although Buddy is four years Nina’s senior, they were both juniors in 1946, due to the setback as a result of the war.

After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he and his sweetheart drifted apart. When he served his first enlistment, he took a 60-day furlough from the Navy and flew to the Philippines to spend his leave with his family. He was surprised to find his long lost love teaching at Agno High School. He immediately asked for reconciliation.

They were both still very much in love with each other, so they decided to culminate their thirteen-year on-and-off love affair with an impromptu civil wedding. Three weeks after their marriage, he reported back to duty in NAB-Point Magu, California. He left his new bride with his folks in Agno.

Upon arrival in Point Magu, Rear Admiral Jack P. Monroe welcomed him aboard. He was soon promoted to First Class Petty Officer. In the early part of 1962, he was stationed in Midway Islands, a Naval outfit situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

His wife joined him in Midway Islands on September 7, 1962, who was then carrying their first baby…it was unfortunate for them because their baby was stillborn. They named him “Angelico” (their little angel). This devastated him, and of course his wife, who had a nervous breakdown. A chaplain helped her overcome her depression.

Buddy’s tour of duty in Midway was only a year, so on October 28, 1963 he was assigned aboard the oiler, USS Ponchatoula, which was home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

His son, Salvador, Jr., (Sal), was born in Hawaii on December 26, 1963. When Sal was six months old, Buddy’s ship sailed to WestPac/Japan. His ship and its crew were stationed there for almost ten months.

That was a very trying experience for his wife, being a new mother and carrying another baby. Moreover, she was not able to drive. But thanks to our Almighty Father in Heaven, He made that difficult plight so easy. She was surrounded with kind friends who willingly offered help.

Buddy’s tour of duty in WestPac was extended for three months. So when his next child, Dwight, was born on April 25, 1965, he was still in Japan. His late compadre, Leodegario Merete drove Buddy’s wife to the hospital to deliver, and his compadre’s wife took care of little Sal while his wife was in the hospital. That again was another blessing from God; providing them some helping hands when in dire need.

Finally, Buddy’s ship arrived, and when his second child, Dwight, was five weeks old on August 13, 1965, he obtained his American citizenship in Honolulu, Hawaii.

His ship sailed to Australia for a secret mission. He was assigned to join the Seabees, which was based in Port Hueneme, California, so on February 25, 1966, he moved his family to Port Hueneme.

He left his family there and went with his unit to Vietnam for two eight-month deployments. Still not able to drive, his wife again relied on friends to drive them around. It was easier than in Midway, however, because their two sons were older and less dependent.

After Buddy’s second deployment in Vietnam, he was given a tour of duty at NOAC in Subic Bay, Philippines. Two daughters were born in the Philippines; Melody on November 4, 1968, and Yolanda on May 25, 1970, at the U.S. Naval Base Hospital in Subic Bay.

On August 20, 1970, Buddy and family flew back to the USA to serve in Coronado, California’s Naval Amphibious Base (NAB). Not long after, in 1970, he was installed as Navy Chief Petty Officer in Coronado, California.

Four years later, he retired from the U.S. Navy. Now a civilian, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk. Years went by so swiftly without being noticed. After working in the U.S. Postal Service for fourteen years, he retired completely.

His four children have grown, graduated from school, and subsequently married. He was blessed with twelve adorable grandchildren who are all good-looking and endowed with special talents.

His mission on earth has been fulfilled. So now our Heavenly Father has called him to enjoy eternal rest with Him, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen!

He is survived by his wife: Antonina; four children: Salvador, Jr., Dwight, Melody, and Yolanda; his four children-in-law: Crestita, Catherine, Patrick, and Jeffrey; and his grandchildren: Matthew, Madison, and Michael; Daniel, Christian, Sarah, and Deangelo; Alyssa and Joshua; and Isabella, Olivia and Elliana; and his youngest brothers, Arturo and Gabriel, who are in the Philippines.

Arrangements under the direction of Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, CA.