Carmencita F. Paraggio

Carmencita Navarro Fernandez Paraggio, age 85, passed away on Wednesdayday, June 2, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born January 7, 1936 in Manila, Philippines, to parents, Anastacio and Basilica Fernandez.

Carmencita is a Graduate of Philippine Women's University (Main Campus) on Taft Ave. in Manila where she earned a Business Degree.

Her father, Anastacio Fernandez, was a Major in the Philippine Army and a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1941 to 1945 in the Philippines as a Signal Officer. He was dual status. He escaped the Bataan Death March but could NOT escape to join MacArthur. So he hid in the Jungles for 2 years and fought with the Guerillas. Her mother, Basilica Navarro Fernandez, was a teacher. During the War the Japanese Kenpeitai never figured out who Carmencita’s father was. In short, had they found out, show would have been killed since her father was providing intel for the Guerillas and MacArthur in Australia all while doing his part killing in Japanese.

In her teenage and young-adult years Carmencita loved dancing on the U.S. Carriers based in the P.I. and at Subic Bay. Basically like most young-adults, she liked to have a good time.

Carmencita met Sylvio Paraggio who was based at Clark AFB in the P.I. in 1967. She then moved to Toronto, Canada in 1969. She was employed at Toronto University in the Records Department from 1969-1970.

In April 1970 she arrived in San Antonio, Texas where she married Air Force MSGT Paraggio. They were married for 34 years until his passing on August 13, 2004.

Carmencita’s first job was at Triple AAA Travel in June 1970 as a Travel Counselor which launched her Travel Agency Career. She also attained her TXDL during 1970. She went on to Manage San Antonio Travel and Jet World Travel. In late 1986 she reached her goal of owning and operating her own Travel Agency which was called Independent Travel Service Agency until 2008. She Provided service from arranging Air and Hotel Travel Packages, Cruises, and Land Tours both Domestic and International along with her husband. She attended various Travel Seminars and Traveled to over 30 countries. One of her highlight trips was selling jewelry while touring Australia for a month. She helped arrange many Filipinos with their Balikbayan Travel back to the Philippines. At times helping them pay for their travel to see family in the P.I.

In 1987 she assisted in establishing Philippine Women's Association (PWA) of San Antonio. Where she donated time and money to fund scholarships to help Young Filipinos attain a college dducation.

In 2005 she went up to Fort Sill, Oklhoma to welcome her son home from the war in Afghanistan.

In 2006 she met Arthur Leno. Arthur became her buddy and companion. They traveled to over 15 countries. Some of their highlight trips were Finland and Kiev, Ukraine. A year later 2015 I believe parts of Ukraine became a War Zone due to the Russia partial invasion. Their “Big Highlight” trip was to the Philippines. In Arthur words “the most entertaining and relaxing trip” he ever took. They stayed together until her death due to Bone Cancer.

She will always be remembered as a lady with a lot of Style, Grace, and most of all Humility. She taught her son always do the right thing even if at times some people would oppose you for doing the right thing. The Community and the Planet has lost a true ICON and Good Person.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bob Fernandez; and husband, Sylvio Paraggio. Carmancita is survived by her son, Andrew Vicencio; brother, Nilo Fernandez; compaion, Arthur Leno and his son, Stuart Leno; niece, Shelly Leno; great-niece, Tiffany Leno; nephew, Ron Navarro; niece, Olivia Vaca; niece, Linda Haines her husband, Mike and their daughters, Lindsey and Lauren Haines; nephew, Matthew Fontillas; as well a countless extended family members and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Porter Loring Mortuary.

ROSARY

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021

7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY CHAPEL

FUNERAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021

10:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY CHAPEL

Father Martin Parayno will officiate. Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.