Wilfredo Paz Vito

Wilfredo Paz Vito was born in Railway, Lapuz Norte, Iloilo City, Philippines on August 13, 1939 and passed away in Cypress, TX on December 27, 2024. Uncle, Lolo, Tito, Brother, Tiyoy, Manoy, Pare, Maninoy, are what some of you called him. But, I called him Dad.

I recently learned Dad was an art teacher at Mambusao Elementary School. This is new ground for me. I always thought he was a Vocational Education teacher, which means older students. Teenagers. Not kids.

Some of his favorite pursuits were going to the movie theatre, finishing home projects, car repair, gardening, hanging out with friends, making moves on the dance floor, karaoke, and eating fast food.

Burger King, McDonald’s, Rally’s, Little Caesar’s, Pizza Hut, Church’s Chicken, KFC, Wendy’s were possible options when I was with him. Or it was a snack that made its way after his morning shift. Typically, it was just for me because he probably ate his meal already. Or he was going to eat something that my Mom had prepared earlier.

Trained as a teacher in the Philippines, Dad graduated from the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades. He was one of nine kids from the marriage of Remedios Frial Paz and Cesario Lima Vito. Dad’s search for a life partner began with an introduction by his brother’s girlfriend, Madeline Tio, who ended up being his future sister-in-law. In 1977, Sally Sales became his wife and they started a new life together in Detroit, Michigan. He worked as a Maintenance Technician and a Mail Carrier during this time. Fatherhood became a reality in October of 1980. Seasons of change continued with retirement as they moved to Houston, Texas, to be near their first granddaughter, Karinne, in 2015.

Dad’s life lessons: education will allow you to level UP in life (learning can happen beyond four walls); confidence will take you far, but wisdom will take you even further; loyalty is important, but it’s not everything (relationships can fade over time); family doesn’t always mean blood-related; accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength; be better, do better, so you can create a legacy of your OWN.

“I loved your Pops.” “He’s with my Dad now.” “He always took care of me when I came through.” “I remember how cool your dad was.” “He brought you up the right way.”

These comments represent his legacy and I’m blessed to carry it on Earth.

“Kapwa” translates to “brotherhood”, “neighbor”, and “fellow humans.” Living in the spirit of kapwa means to embrace our shared identity and to care for our fellow beings. This is a core value that my Dad demonstrated on a daily basis throughout his life. We are islanders, united by the ocean, rooted in ancestral ways.

Wilfredo is survived by his loving wife, Sally Sales Vito; his son, Wil Sales Vito, and wife, Joy Marukot Vito; granddaughters Karinne Makana Marukot Vito, Keira Nalani Marukot Vito; siblings, Leovigildo Vito, Zenaida Fajardo, Giovanni Vito, and Lirio Vito. Rest in the peace and power of God.

A memorial service for Wilfredo will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Brookside Cypress Creek, 9149 Hwy 6 No, Texas 77095, followed by a family reception from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.