Leodigario Ferida Cajucom

He passed away peacefully after courageously battling lung cancer for 11 years. His doctors were all impressed with him on how brave and full of hope and positive attitude our father had throughout his ordeal. He was 86 years old.

Leody was born on October 2, 1939 in his hometown of Bucot, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija in the Phillipines. He was survived by his wife Milagros, 5 children, Neriza, Randy, Eliza, Milady and Olivia, their husbands and wife, Ariel, Michelle, Archie and Levi, his grandchildren, Arjon, Shannen, Rachelle, Aaron, Neriyel, Nerilynn and Joseph, nieces, nephews and relatives.

He was the eldest child of Gonzalo and Leonarda Cajucom. His brothers are Alejandro, Romeo, Gregorio and Ponciano. His friends and family called him "Ludy", and we fondly called him "TATAY LUDY".

Our Tatay Ludy was a business minded person. He had his own Tailor Shop in the Phillippines, where he was the master cutter. He also had passenger jeepneys, eventually putting up a rice store and finally, managing his own ricefields.

We admired our Tatay Ludy because of his talent, skills and abilities in raising us, his children, putting us in private schools and universities, when he, himself did not finish college. We saw and witness how he loved our mother, how he protected and respected her.

Our Tatay Ludy had sense of humor, that even in his hospital bed leading to the end of his life, he was still cracking jokes and made us all laughed. He loved politics and was a frustrated lawyer. He likes debating and arguing.

He came here in Canada with our mother on 2002 and was a big help in our family, taking care of their grandchildren, picking up and dropping them off to and from school.

Our Tatay Ludy was a very kind, helpful, and generous man. He helped a lot of people - friends, relatives, cousins, nieces and nephews, especially in his hometown in Bucot.

There was one particular thing that impressed us, his children during the last months and weeks of his life. After all these years, in his hospital bed, at 86 years old - our Tatay Ludy still remembered and recited the dedication of the very first Christmas card he gave to our mother when he was still courting her. He recited other poems too, even though he was very sick and struggled to talk.

We know that our Dear Tatay passed away with joy in his heart. He was able to celebrate his 86th birthday, days before he left. We all prayed the Rosary together as family every night, we were all there with him on his last night on earth. He didn't pass away by himself. He was not alone.

He gave it all and said "goodbye" to us when he pressed my mother and siblings hands, when he nodded to his grandchildren. And finally, when my Tatay Ludy squeezed my hand very tightly, and then let go.

Me, his eldest child, is with him until the end of his last breath.

When God called our dearest Tatay Ludy in the early dawn of October 9, there was no struggle, no pain - only peace and ease going HOME to HIM.

WE LOVE YOU TATAY LUDY!

WE MISSED YOU ALREADY!!!