Generoso Ritua

Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Natividad (“Nati”), and his three children, Rebecca (David) Lagasse, Randy (Wilma) Ritua, and Rowena (David) Lewis, as well as 7 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, to his family.

Gene was born in the Alos, Alaminos, Philippines in 1927, the 7th of 10 children. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He married Nati in 1953 and with their children lived in San Francisco, Virginia, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and was even the first Filipino Naval family to live in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia. In 1965, after 21 years of service, Gene retired as a Chief, and the family settled in Imperial Beach. Gene then began a second career in the U.S. Post Office, retiring after 18 years of service.

Gene was an avid bowler, and continued to bowl well into his 80’s. He often invited his grandsons to bowl with him and only occasionally allowed them to win a game. He also loved to travel – he and Nati went to Alaska, the Bahamas, England, Hong Kong, the Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, and the Virgin Islands. Although a quiet man, he loved to sing and dance. Once while on a cruise, to the chagrin of his wife, he secretly entered into a talent contest and sang his favorite karaoke song. He was always ready to join in to dance the Macarena. Gene enjoyed working with his hands. He spent many hours in the yard building things and tending to his garden. His wood projects filled his backyard and were always finished with his signature brick red paint.

We love you and will miss you Dad/Grandpa/GeeGeePa.