Amado Santos Del Rosario

Amado S del Rosario (aka “Tatay”) passed away peacefully alongside his children at the age of 87 (three weeks short of his 88th birthday). He is preceded by his beautiful wife Lourdes (Ludy), who was our loving and devoted “Nanay”. He leaves behind five children, (Ramon, Mani, Amy, Pearly, and Marikit), 11 grandkids (Windham, Noelani, Dylan, Nathan, Ethan, Aria, Julian, Armie, Nic, Hannah, and Sofia), one great-grandchild, Naomi, and a devout sister Rufina (aka Nana Pinang). His son-in-laws are Mike, Farzad, and Norm, and his daughter-in-laws are Moira and Anne.

Tatay was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer a year and half ago, has since developed other health issues along the way, but thankfully escaped the fatal Covid. His health problems did not deter him from travelling to and from his beloved home country of the Philippines, and spending quality time with his kids and grandkids. If you asked him how he was doing, he would steadily say, “I’m good! Very Well!”, while flexing his arm muscles in the air. He rarely admitted to feeling ill, so he may have passed to avoid making a decision on the upcoming election...which our family is clearly divided (LOL!).

A few things about Amado…he was born in Manila (Bulacan province), Philippines on 9/13/1932, to Simplicio and Leoncia del Rosario. He is the sixth of eight children (Gonsalo, Justiano, Mercedes, Saturnina, Rufina, Donato, and Pablo are his siblings). He founded Hi-ELES, the exclusive Hitachi Elevator and Escalator sales firm in the Philippines, which he co-operated with his siblings prior to moving to the US. He married Ludy on June 20, 1959 and they immigrated to the US in 1973 … all seven of us crammed in a two-bedroom home in Daly City from 1972 -1976, then moved to San Jose where he spent 20 years working as an Electrical/Mechanical Engineer for companies including IBM, Lockheed, Bechtel, Fluor Mining and Metals, and was a Real Estate Agent on the side. During our parent’s retirement, they owned and operated a residential care facility, Rose Garden Court in San Jose from 1995- 2001. After selling the Care Home in 2001, they fully retired in the gated community of Serano in El Dorado Hills. Here they enjoyed the fruits of their labor by spoiling their grandkids who brought them an abundance of pride and joy.

Tatay loved to dine out and would always request for In-n-out and sushi. While he preferred fish over beef/pork, he will get down on some crispy pata. If he had a choice, he would eat peanut butter Skippy out of the jar with every meal, for dessert. Tatay always had a great sense of humor, and like the typical Filipino, he enjoyed singing (karaoke) and dancing. He’s also very chatty among strangers especially the ladies.

A Celebration of Life viewing will be held on 9/12 from 3-4pm for family and friends. Due to Covid, 25 people max., and we understand that people are unable to attend due to increased risks. A private memorial will be held on 9/13 (his birthday) where he will join our mom at his final resting place.