Wilfredo Vicuña Julve

My loving father passed away in the early hours of Friday, October 6, 2023 at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Editha Paloma Julve; his three children, Joelle Guerra, Bernard Julve, and Erickson Julve; and his three grandchildren, Paloma and Della Guerra, and one on the way.

Wilfredo “Boy” Julve was born on April 1, 1952 in Canlubang, Laguna, Philippines. His family lived next to the Paloma family home. The Julve family had the only television in their neighborhood, and a young Editha would often go with others to sit outside the Julve family living room waiting until a young Boy would be done watching his favorite show “Combat!”. Afterwards, my quiet father would return to his room and my Auntie Minda would ask the kids what they would want to watch next. Boy and Editha were both classmates and neighbors. Editha would often do Boy’s homework: Boy would supply the Life magazines, Editha would craft the art projects. Boy played little league baseball all through grade school, even competing with the kids of American servicemen.

He took a pause from baseball in high school and instead focused on his studies, becoming a standout student especially in mathematics. Boy lived in Canlubang until his third year in high school when his family moved to Biñan, Laguna. He would occasionally play softball, a theme that would recur throughout his life as he continually found himself playing baseball or softball off and on.

For college he attended Far Eastern University (FEU) for two years, studying chemical engineering and receiving a scholarship playing baseball. He had to stop his studies due to financial issues and work for a few years before moving to Davao and completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Mindanao in 1977, again receiving an athletic scholarship for softball.

He proceeded to work for Royal Traders Bank as a semi-professional baseball player. He moved on to Holland Milk Company and later Pepsi as a licensed chemical engineer. After a few years he became a regional manager for the Philippines, traveling extensively throughout the country visiting each branch. It was then he was contacted by my grandmother and his relationship with Editha Paloma resumed. Boy and Editha exchanged letters and met again, eventually marrying on December 28, 1985 in St. Michael’s Church in San Diego, California.

They had three children: Joelle, Bernard, and Erick. Boy worked for 7-Up, Mobil, and eventually Pepsi in San Diego for another twelve years, becoming Quality Control Supervisor. He later stepped down and managed real estate properties while tutoring his children in mathematics. After all his children graduated from university, he retired but still enjoyed tutoring Editha’s nephew’s and niece’s kids in mathematics. He especially loved his two granddaughters, Paloma and Della Guerra. He looked forward to when Joelle and Danny came to visit. He would always enjoy carrying Paloma and Della and putting them to sleep. In his last few days, he managed to watch Bernard and Stefani’s wedding via livestream.

Boy had a love of baseball all his life. He coached his sons Bernard and Erick in little league baseball and enjoyed playing catch in the backyard. He had a deep love of music, his beloved Harry Belafonte and Mitch Miller records often being heard on his custom built stereo. He also was a practical man, fixing furniture, building cabinetry, and even constructing the deck platform in our backyard by himself.

Above all he loved his family. He was always teaching his kids a lesson and preparing them for life. He never wanted to be a burden on others and always sought to take care of himself and his wife independently. He was firm when he needed to be but always had a sense of humor. His love and devotion will be missed, but will live on in his children who were molded by him all their lives. God bless you dad! We all love you. We will pray for you every day.

“Wedding bells will ring so merrily

Every tear will be a memory

So wait and pray each night for me

Till we meet again.”