Mrs. Angela Vilbar Bontilao

Angela Vilbar Bontilao, a long time resident of the San Jose area, died in a tragic automobile accident on the night of April 13, 2017. Born in Hilongos, Leyte on October 2, 1924, she was the youngest of three children of Fructuoso Vilbar and Crispina Jabonero Vilbar. Early in her childhood, the family moved to Manila, where she attended Malate Catholic School. WWII was a bittersweet episode in her life as she lost her father, sister and brother. While escaping from the Japanese invasion of Manila, she met her protector and future husband Julian del Mar Bontilao. After WWII they married in October 1, 1945.

Angela and Julian were blessed with nine children, six boys and three girls. She chose the sanctity of a full time housewife; raising, nurturing, guiding and molding her nine children into responsible members of society. She also devoted her time in taking care of her mother who passed away in1958. Her unwavering faith and disciplined determination became the anchor of her survival and endurance. In 1968, she was involved in a vehicular accident in Cebu which damaged her hips. Doctors diagnosed that she will never walk again. With her petite built, she proved them wrong. She fought her way out of that predicament, beat the odds, and was able to walk again; even visiting places and different countries. She imparts that same determination to his grandchildren and the youth of the world. She meets every challenge in life with a smile.

On June 7, 1977, Julian passed away and his US veteran status expedited Angela’s migration to the US. She lived in Florida in her first few years, but moved to San Jose, California in 1984 when the first wave of her children arrived. As the rest of her children moved in the San Jose area, Angela helped raise most of her grandchildren and in the process turned into the matriarch of her huge and diverse family. Her passion for plants and flowers grew strong and in her solitude so she devoted her time in gardening. Over the years, family members and friends who visited her brought home fruits from her prized Persimmon and Avocado trees. Her love of reading books and magazines made her a source of vast information which often surprised family members and friends alike. Names, dates, events both here and abroad; she remembered, which made her a walking encyclopedia to many.

Angela was preceded in death by her husband, Julian, eldest son Arturo, daughter Carina, daughter-in-law Edelwina, and grand children Julius and Eva.

Angela is survived by her sons Prudencio (Cita), Restituto (Wanda), Roberto (Araceli), Felicisimo (Myrna) and Nereo Antonio (Marites), and daughters Julieta (Nicasio) and Josefina (Joselito); son-in-law Jim; grandchildren Armando, Maribel, Artprubertito, Alberto, Raveena, Arturo Jr., Dennis, Deanna, Angelica, Jeanique, Orielle, Yerahmiel, Shane, Justin, Jeff, April, Jillian, Aaron, and Megan; nephew Simplicio (Susan); and several great grandchildren.

Services are as follows:

VIEWING: May 4, 2017 Thursday, 9:00AM – 9:00 PM Room E Oakhill Funeral Homes

VIEWING: May 5, 2017 Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Room E

PRAYERS/VIEWING/EULOGIES: May 5, 2017 Friday 5:00PM – 9:00 PM Oakroom

Mass of Christian Burial: May 6, 2017 Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 2800 Mission College Blvd., San Jose, CA 95054

INTERMENT: May 6, 2017 Saturday 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Oak Hills Funeral Homes & Memorial Park 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose, CA 95152

LUNCH RECEPTION: St Francis of Assisi Parish Hall, 5111 San Felipe Rd, San Jose, CA 95135