Nicolas Nieva Capistrano

Nick attended Arellano University, Jose Abad Santos University, in Manila where he graduated with his LL.B. degree in law. Jose Abad Santos University was founded by his father, the former Supreme Court Justice Francisco Capistrano Sr. Mr. Capistrano Sr. also founded the Arellano University and was a former Dean of the College of Law. Nick came from a family of lawyers and he followed suit, in 1954 he became a member of the bar and worked as Special Assistant to the Land Registration Commissioner in the Philippines. In 1960 he was sent by the government to observe modern land registration laws and procedures in Australia. He was later appointed to the post of Registrar of Deeds in 1963.

When Nicolas met Maria Cristina Blanco, he knew she’d be the woman that he would love for the rest of his life and soon proposed. They were married June 4, 1955. Cristina was formally educated as a pharmacist; however, she and Nick chose the course in their earlier years to start their family and soon had 8 children: Lourdes, Marina, Cristina, Cecilia, Theresa, Dean, Nicolette, and Juntu.

Opportunities awaited the Capistrano Family in the United States and they moved to Portland, OR in 1979. In the Northwest, Nick became one of the local entrepreneurs owning and operating the Lily Pad Restaurant in Portland, the Manila Express Restaurant and Pub in Tigard, and managing several properties that they owned on Main Street Tigard. Nick retired in 2007 from his daily responsibilities of business and focused much of his time and passion with his family.

In his spare time, Nick enjoyed family gatherings. He and Cristina owned a beach house in Lincoln Beach and they entertained often treating family and friends to crab feeds and steaks over the many years there. Wherever Nick was, he was the “Life of the Party,” he could put a beautiful smile on your face when he sang and danceed at gatherings. He was passionate about his Portland Trail Blazers and was a big fan of the Yankees (Mickey Mantle era) and boxing. Nick and Cristina traveled extensively all over the world; Spain was a favorite destination where they would visit Cristina’s family, spending time there was always very special to Nick. He once said in an interview that one of his greatest achievements was to have all 8 children all concentrated in Portland and doing well in their lives. One sister recently did move back to the Philippines but stays in constant contact with the family.

Mr. Capistrano was preceded in death by his wife Cristina in 2010, and by his sister Marina Cruz and brother Francisco Capistrano Jr..

Nicolas is survived by and will be missed by his siblings Cecilia Fiel, Dionisio Capistrano, and Lourdes Hickman; by his children Lourdes (Alex) Tancuan, Marina (Mike) Clancy, Cristina Capistrano, Cecilia (Tony) Flores, Theresa (Tony) Capistrano, Dean (Stephanie) Capistrano, Nicolette (Jim) O’Brien, Juntu (Shane) Oberg; by his grandchildren Christine, Francesca, Alex, Nick, Jose, John, Christian, Amanda, Nicolas, Melissa, Kyle, Isabella, Grace and Caitlin; and by his three great-grandchildren Tyler, Camren and Noah.

A Funeral Mass was held Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at St. John Fisher Catholic Church and burial at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. Please visit youngsfuneralhome.org and leave a message of love and memory to Nicolas Nieva Capistrano III.

Arrangements under the direction of Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.