Fernando Bolante Versola

He was born November 12, 1935 in San Antonio, Bangued, Abra, Philippines to Leonardo Versola and Reymunda Bolante. At the young age of nine, his father passed away while serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II, leaving his widowed mother to raise him and his two younger siblings, Clara and Manuel (deceased).

He graduated from Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, an all boy's high school, and also attended Rosal Fashion School of Tailoring, both in the Philippines.

Fernando married Rita Barona at the age of 19 and had eight children - four girls and four boys. He endured many long hours of work and school to support his family, working as a bank security guard and attending night classes towards an accounting degree at Manuel L. Quezon University. After immigrating to the United States, he continued to work as a tailor and security guard for a number of years and formed many friendships. Fernando and Rita lived in New Jersey for 20 years before retiring to Nevada.

Fernando was very active and had a passion for running which began in the early 1980s. He ran several marathons, including Boston, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and Las Vegas. An experienced tailor, he took immense pride and joy providing service to clients in New Jersey and Las Vegas. Fernando continued to walk for several miles every other morning well into his elder years.

He is survived by his children - Norma Moraga (Norberto), Leonardo, Orlando (Marilyn), Cleofe Gomez - deceased (Rheneland), Silvia Dela Cruz (Exequiel), Pio (Josephina), Mercredi DePalma (John), and Joseph Allan; 23 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren - who live in California, Nevada, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, and the Philippines.

A funeral service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Henderson, NV on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 followed by a private burial at Palm Cemetery in Las Vegas, NV.