Cereal passed away peacefully in his home on Memorial Day—May 31st 2021— surrounded by his family. Left to cherish his memories are his wife Julie, his children, Don, Eve, and Lucy, his stepson, Daniel, his grandchildren, Devin and Segan, his great grandson Vaiuli, his nephew and caregiver, Axel, his son-in-laws, Eric and Dan, Devin’s wife, Lea, and his animals, Nico, Jasmine, Harpo, and Sagwa.
Cereal was born and raised on the island of Rapu Rapu, Philippines where he grew up alongside his first wife Segundina. He joined the US Navy in 1956 and as a result, moved with his wife to Chula Vista, CA in 1971, where they raised their three children. Cereal ended his time in the Navy as a chief petty officer after 20 years. He continued his civil service as a building inspector until his retirement in1998.
In his free time, Cereal was a talented carpenter, building everything from additional rooms to his home, to a seesaw and playhouse for his children. He enjoyed watching old westerns and action movies, and shouting “Get ‘em! Get ‘em!” at the screen while watching WWF wrestling on TV. He loved music and spent Saturday nights with his wife showing off their dancing skills at the CPO club. They were happily married for 25 years until she passed away of cancer in 1984.
Cereal had been with his second wife, Julie, for 36 years before his passing. He loved to describe Julie as “one with a heart of gold.” After a long courtship, they were married in 2015. Together they enjoyed dancing, trips to the Philippines where his family loved and knew him as “Papa Eyay,” eating at the Sycuan Casino buffet, and doting on their grandchildren. He was an energetic ‘Lolo’ who was never tired of chasing his granddaughter around while wearing an alligator puppet on his hand or throwing a baseball to his grandson who was learning how to hit. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren as they grew up and always wore their college sweatshirts with pride.
Those who knew him will remember how his face beamed when people would tell him how young he looked for his age. They will remember his sense of humor and how Barney Fife’s antics on “The Andy Griffith” show made him laugh to no end. His children will remember his physical strength with awe and how he singlehandedly took down a 30 foot tree in the front yard. They will remember how even before he’d fallen ill at the age of 89, he’d still insisted on climbing ladders and fixing things around the house. His family will remember his ritual of walking them out to their cars after a visit and saying “Be careful” from the porch as he watched them drive off.
The immense love from his family is equal to the pain his departure has left. There is comfort in knowing he is dancing with Segundina again. Cereal will be cremated and buried with his beloved first wife at Glen Abbey, 37 years to the day of her burial, on July 6th 2021.
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