Graciano "Sammy" Libiran Samaniego

Graciano “Sammy” Libiran Samaniego passed away on January 24, 2016 in the I.C.U. unit at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana. He was stricken with pneumonia and a heart attack and for two weeks he held on before his death. He was being cared for in nursing facilities after suffering a devastating stroke in October 2015 that left him unable to speak and paralyzed on his right arm and leg. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two grandchildren, his older brother, three sisters and his many nieces & nephews. He is laid to rest next to one of his sons, Dennis, in Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary in Loma Linda, California, where services were held.

Graciano was born on December 18, 1937 in a town now called Balagtas in Bulakan, Philippines. His parents were Espicia Santos (Libiran) and Severo dela Peña Samaniego. He graduated from the Mapua College of Architecture. In 1975, Sammy and his wife left behind their 3 sons under the continuous care of his mother-in-law to emigrated to the United States in search of a better life. They found good jobs, two years later bought a house and it that same year was soon joined by their three sons accompanied by his mother-in-law, reuniting the family once again. One of the many accomplishments during his career was when he helped design the kitchens and redesign existing structures for the El Torito restaurant chain over 20 years ago in Southern California. Over the later years, he began to enjoy playing cards; especially Texas Hold’em where he and his wife frequented San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland where they enjoyed the company of friends, floor managers & staff and fellow card players. He also enjoyed planting vegetables in the garden and caring for them. He was liked by many, got along with others and loved by his family and friends. Everyone whose lives he touched will dearly remember Graciano “Sammy” Samaniego.