Born to Florentino, Sr. and Felicisima (nee Coquia) de Vera, he was the third of four children. Fresh out of high school, Jaime knew he wanted to join the military. He began college in the Philippines and took odd jobs, such as drumming in a band and handy-man work. All the while, he applied for and had high hopes of joining the Philippine Air Force. Many of his friends were getting called to active military duty and urged him to enlist in the Navy. It was the U.S. Navy that called him for active duty first. Jaime left college and began his service in 1959, eventually earning a rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He proudly and honorably retired, after 25 years of service, in 1984.
While still assigned in the Philippines in 1962, he met his future wife, Teofila, known to her friends and family as "Fely," who worked at the Navy Exchange on base in Subic Bay. Jaime and Fely were first married in a civil service before Jaime was dispatched overseas. In 1964, they had a Catholic church ceremony before all of their friends and family. They started their own family in the Philippines, giving birth to their son, Renato, in 1965 and daughter, Marian, the following year. Then in 1967, Jaime was able to migrate his family to the United States. He began Naval schooling in Waukegan, Illinois before receiving his permanent station in the Pacific Fleet - first in San Diego, then completing his military career in Long Beach, California. Jaime and Fely decided to settle in Cypress, California and purchased what is now the family home in 1972. In 1978, they welcomed their second daughter, Jenifer. After the Navy, Jaime enrolled in night classes at Cypress Community College to complete the Electrician Certification Program. He worked as a maintenance electrician for Smith Tool/Smith International Company, then Kendall McGaw (later McGaw Laboratories) where he retired at the age of 65.
In his spare time, Jaime loved music and enjoyed dancing and singing to artists such as Bobby Vinton, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Sedaka, and many, many more. He was a boxer and a bowler while in the Navy and enjoyed watching all spectator sports. Jaime was also not short on hobbies - he enjoyed gardening, collecting coins, stamps, and tools, as well as watching soap operas and reality dance shows. He religiously went to church (no pun intended), but also religiously purchased lotto tickets and played bingo.
Family and friends were very important to Jaime. He frequently sent money home to his parents in Baguio and stayed in constant contact with his sister, brother, and their children. He loved not only his extended family but also Fely's extended family, enjoying many Agno family gatherings and "therapy nights." He is fondly remembered by his children and grandchildren as loving (and mischievously cheating to win at) board games, particularly chess and cards.
Jaime was a kind and loving husband, father, and "Lolo" (grandfather) who will be greatly missed. He is survived by his son, Renato de Vera; two daughters, Marian Villanueva and Jenifer Weaver; six grandchildren, Marina, M. Nicholas, Matthew, & Mitchell Villanueva, and Braeden & Addison Weaver; and his sister, Esperanza Elefante.
He is now reunited in heaven with his loving wife Teofila, parents Florentino, Sr. and Felicisima, and brothers Florentino, Jr. ("Doc") and Antonio.
The family will have private services on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 and hope to celebrate the life of their father and grandfather with all of his friends and family at a later, safer date.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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