Dr. Manuel Valdez Salamanca

Dr. Manuel Valdez Salamanca was born in Mayantoc, Tarlac, Philippines on Jan. 28, 1934. He is preceded in death by his father Eduardo Salamanca in the Philippines (1973), his mother Mercedes Salamanca in Canada (1997), as well as a younger brother, Arturo Salamanca, who died in a swimming accident in 1947.

Dr. Salamanca did his undergraduate studies in the University of the Philippines, Diliman Q. C. and University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila, Philippines and graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine from UST in 1961. He was in private practice in his hometown until he immigrated to the United States in June 1969 and settled down in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a house physician of Howthornden State Hospital in Cleveland State Hospital from 1969 until he went for Internship at. St. John Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1973 and proceeded to finish his residency in General Practice in June 1977. He passed the Florida Medical Licensures in Aug.1976. He joined the Medical Staff of Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tuskegee, Alabama in July 1977 until his retirement in July 2000. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review, Physician, Inc. since Oct. 1987.

Dr. Salamanca is survived by his wife for 47 years, Merlina Espiritu Salamanca, his two children, Michael Edward Salamanca of New York and Merilyn Elaine Villalta of Columbus, GA, and her three children, Joshua Bryant, Christopher Daniel and Sebastian Giovanni Villalta.

Dr. Salamanca also leaves three sisters to cherish his memory: Olivia Abbott, Luz Floresca and Araceli Bunagan, all formerly RNs and residing in Windsor, Canada.

Other survivors include brother-in-laws, Isidro P. Espirtu of the Philippines, and Richard Abbott, Ernesto Floresca and William Bunagan, all of Windsor, Canada, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and wonderful friends.

Rosary prayer and visitation will be held on Friday, March 15 at 6:30 P.M. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary (4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA).

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 16 at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Anne Catholic Church (2000 Kay Circle Columbus, GA) with Father Gerard Schreck officiating.

Interment will be held on Monday, March 18 at 9:00 A.M in Parkhill Cemetery (4161 Macon Road, Columbus, GA) with Father Gerard Schreck officiating.

The Salamanca family would like to acknowledge and offer much appreciation for all the concern, thoughts and prayers during our time of loss. A very grateful and heartfelt “Thank You” to all family and friends.