Josue Villanueva Banaag

Josue Villanueva Banaag, a humble man and devoted husband and father, succumbed to esophageal cancer on October 2, 2012 in comfort care at Balboa Medical Center in San Diego, California, with his family at his side.

He was born on September 24, 1931, in Tigaon, Camarines Sur, of the Bicol region in the Philippines.

In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and so began his love of country as a proud American. He served as Storekeeper Chief aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal, and was a member of its crew during the "Inferno at Sea." He was decorated with a Vietnam Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, and a Fifth Good Conduct Award, and was honorably discharged in 1974. He then served another 20 years with the Civil Service.

He formally studied automotive mechanics and loved working on cars for friends and family. He never shied away from honest, hard work. He could not be happier than when he was working with his hands, repairing appliances, growing fruit trees, laying brick and tile and all manner of landscaping and home improvements and repairs, and enjoying the fruits of his labor.

He leaves behind a loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Ana Maria; their 3 grateful children, Ana, Joe and Catherine; 2 grandchildren, Sean and Colleen; and son-in-law, Don.

Josue's wish was to help build a church. In lieu of flowers, the Banaag Family kindly asks that you make a donation in his name to the Saint Charles Catholic Church building projects and revitalization fund, www.saintcharles.org.