Leonardo F. Mateo

Leonardo F. Mateo was born on May 29,1927 in Morong Rizal, Philippines. He was the second child of Pascual Mateo and Eligia Fransisco. He lived in Morong Rizal from birth to 1981when he later moved to Chicago, West Covina, and finally San Diego.

SCHOOLING AND WORK

Leonardo (also known as “Inihaw” or “Miling”) went to Tomas Claudio Elementary School and Morong High School (Class 1947). In 1944 he was a member of the recognized guerrillas, in service of the armed forces of the United States and was Honorably Discharged in 1945 . He then went to work for San Lazaro Hospital as a Water Analysist. Over the years, Leonardo also worked for Morong Emergency Hospital, then after moving to Chicago, he also worked for Holy Cross Hospital until he retired. However, he soon returned to work as he was bored to death. His last two jobs after retirement were at Mother Maria Kaupas Mother House and Nabisco (in which he always stated that after eating so many cookies, he developed Diabetes)

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Leonardo and Felomena met in high school, and they were married Jan 10, 1954, a few years later. Eventually they had 1 child, Tess, son-in-law, Mike, and two grandchildren, Bryan and Kimberly. In 2004, Miling and Minay celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary surrounded by family and close friends.

HOBBIES

While he was in the Philippines one of his hobbies was “Sabong”. While in America, he also enjoyed going to the casino, listening to cassette tapes, and watching telaserye with his wife, Felomena.

SUMMING UP

Miling “ Inihaw” was a remarkably good, thoughtful, hardworking, fun-loving person. He was a man of great love and compassion.

Above all, Miling believed in faith, and hard work. He always said “family is the most important thing in life” and “you get out of life is what you put into it” Miling was a loving husband, father, father-in-law and lastly, the best grandpa in the world.