Porfirio “Rocky” Raquipiso was born on April 3, 1940 in Bani, Pangasinan, Philippines. He passed peacefully on December 4, 2020 in Chesapeake, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Armand Tandoc Raquipiso, his parents, Blas and Maria Raquipiso, his sister, Estelle Romero Ordonio and three nephews, Fred Ordonio, Romeo Bombase, and David Ordonio.
Rocky is survived by his loving wife and travel companion of 57 years, Necy Tandoc Raquipiso. He is also survived by his son, Raymond, daughter-in-law, Leila and granddaughter, Elena, and his youngest son, Roland, daughter-in-law, Kelly and granddaughter, Carly. As the last patriarch of the Bombase-Romero-Raquipiso family, he is survived by many beloved nephews and nieces.
Rocky graduated in 1966 from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines with a Bachelors’ Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He passed the Manila Board of Mechanical Engineers in 1969 while working in the Philippines in the private sector. He immigrated to the United States in 1971 and worked for an electronics company. He also proudly served active duty in the United States Army from 1975 to 1978. He continued in the Army Reserves until his retirement in 2005 after 25 years as Drill Sergeant Instructor for the 80th Division Drill Sergeant School, Fort Eustis. Simultaneously, he worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 1979 to 2005 after 30 years as a Supervisor of Ship Engineering Facilities and Docking.
Rocky spent his retirement years travelling with Necy to varied destinations that covered both hemispheres. He took great pride in and greatly enjoyed the accomplishments of his sons and their families.
Rocky was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Mark and an active member of many Fil-Am Seniors Organizations.
A visitation will be on Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 5-8 with a reception starting at 6:30pm at Smith & Williams Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be conducted the following day at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502 on Friday starting at 2pm with burial to immediately follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com.
