Simeon Diaz

Simeon, popularly known as Boy, is the fourth of ten children - five boys and five girls. Born to Simeon Diaz, Sr. and Esperanza Sanchez Diaz, Boy had to be responsible and learned the household chores early on in the Philippines, as his father passed when Boy was young. As the oldest son, he was a hardworking and loving brother.

In 1991, he came to the United States with three of his brothers and secured a job at Gordon Paper Company where he worked for nineteen years. He was a happy, jolly friend to everyone.

In 2011, he suffered a stroke and was sent to a rehabilitation center in Chesapeake, VA, where he remained until his death. He was a dedicated husband to Olive and father to Kyla, his source of happiness. She was his reason to live and keep going. Each time members of the family visited him, they saw the spark in his eyes when he talked about her. For over twelve years, he would make daily phone calls to his family, especially his mother.

Often quiet, Boy came across as serious and stoic, but he always acted as a caring spouse and father, a supportive brother, and a thoughtful uncle.

“When Uncle Boy first came to the United States with his brothers Jerry, Greg, and Joseph, they came to live with us. They were young, single, and athletic, and one of the first things they did was help my dad create a basketball ‘court’ in our backyard. I remember countless summer nights when my uncles would play with my brothers, and I’d just watch from the sidelines. They had their own, custom basketball jerseys (since they played in the Philippines), so we knew they were good. Playing and talking about basketball was one of the first things that bonded us to our uncles,” says niece Marissa.

“I remember Uncle Boy and my dad talking to each other about basketball, an old movie that’s on TV so they can watch together, life back in the Philippines, or things they did here in America. He was my dad’s best friend,” says niece Alyssa. “He always talked about Kyla when she was still in the Philippines (still does) and how proud he was to be her dad. There was never a day he didn’t show us pictures of her,” says niece Kate.

“When we would visit Uncle Boy before, when Geoff was young, he would dance for Uncle and call him funny names. Uncle Boy would always laugh,” says niece Jasmine.

Preceded in death was his father, Simeon Diaz, Sr. He leaves behind his mother and matriarch of the Diaz family, Esperanza Sanchez Diaz, who celebrated her 93rd birthday in March. He is also survived by his wife, Olive, and daughter, Kyla and his nine siblings: Eufemia Arellano (Per), Zenaida Zulueta (Wilfredo-deceased), Cleofe Pindog (Domingo), Lourdes Busto (Rodolfo), Jerry Diaz (Yolly), Nicanor Diaz (Irene), Gregorio Diaz (Olive), Miriam Marzan (Deseperio), and Joseph Diaz (Aida). He also leaves behind dozens of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews

He will be dearly missed.

The funeral service will take place on Thursday, May 18th at 2 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk. The funeral liturgy will be presided by Deacon HV Le of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Norfolk, where the family are parishioners. Family and friends are welcome to attend.