Irenio Abasta Ciriales

With broken hearts, the family of Irenio (aka Rene/Ernie) A. Ciriales announces that he left Earth and went to that big golf course in the sky on February 28, 2026 in the Philippines. He was welcomed by his parents, Lucas and Marciana Ciriales; his siblings Estelita Bermillo, Felicidad (Donato) Galbadores and Ricardo (Leonita) Ciriales; and his in-laws Rodolfo Chiuco, Soledad Ciriales and Maria and Juan V. Tuscano, Sr.

Left on Earth to miss him forever is his loving wife of 54 years, Florentina (aka Florence/Flo) Tuscano Ciriales, and his four-legged DOGter Cherish. Also, he is survived by his sister Leticia Chiuco and brother Orlino Ciriales; his in-laws David Bermillo, Sr.; Jose and Elena Tuscano; Emmanuela and John F. Cruz, Jr.; Juan, Jr. and Dionisia Tuscano; and Allen and Darlene Tuscano; as well as his Abasta and Salibio cousins in the Philippines. He was a favorite uncle to nieces, nephews, great and great-greats in the families stated above and the following: Johnson, Flores, Quibelan; Kline, Tiuseco; Hancock, Diaz; De Vera, Granizo; Flora, Svozil; Yutangco, Pleños, Seaver, Hansen; Kwan and Dominguez. Some of them have memories of when their uncle took them to the casinos after they turned twenty-one.

After Rene’s family immigrated to the United States, they lived in San Francisco where he graduated at the age of sixteen from Balboa High School. Then he joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1966. Before going to boot camp in Camp Pendleton, his friend Beltran brought him to dinner at Helena Balaoro’s house, where Florence and her sister Emma were also guests. Rene asked Florence if he could write her. Thus, their lives together began and lasted 60 years until the day he passed away. The letters Rene received from Florence will accompany him.

While in the USMC, Rene received the following commendations: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, and Purple Heart. He was proud to wear the uniform of the Armed Forces and joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve and then retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Master Sergeant in 2008. He wore another uniform as a letter carrier, and retired as a supervisor in the U.S. Postal Service after 40 years. Rene continued his love of the uniform by wearing a Gi and earned a 1st degree black belt in Hawaiian Kenpo Karate.

Rene used his G.I. Bill to attend night classes for seven years. He received his AA degree from West Valley College in 1975, and his BS degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State University in 1979. He joked that his wife’s name should have been on his diploma since she helped write all his term papers.

Rene loved his family, pets, the 49ers, golf, gambling, and Candy Crush, though perhaps not in that order. He had been attending the PAL golf tournaments held every February in the Philippines since 2001, except during the pandemic. It was after the 2026 golf tournament in Davao that he fell ill. Florence will be forever grateful to Rolando, his golf buddy, for being with Rene during his last days of life. Also, heartfelt thank yous to Irene and Irina, who were supposed to be on vacation with their uncle, but instead went to the Philippines to complete the paperwork so their uncle could come home.

Visitation will be at Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary, 48800 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont, on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 3:00 – 9:00 PM; Celebration of Life at 6:00 PM. On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, family time will be at 8:00 AM, closing of the casket, procession at 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM burial at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., San Jose. Reception at 1:00 PM at Milpitas Buffet, 24 S. Abbott Ave., Milpitas, CA.

As a result of his tour of duty in Vietnam, Rene had many health issues. Florentina is comforted that Rene is no longer in pain, no longer limping, that he was GRReeted by his fur babies: Sting, Steele, Magnum, Thriller, Babe, and Destiny. They were so YAPPY to see their Daddy and licked his face so much that he looked peaceful. And then Thriller nipped his PAWtootie FUR leaving their Mommie much too soon. Rene, until we’re together again, Rest in PAWS.