Jose Agerico Recio Moncada

Jose Agerico Moncada, fondly known to everyone as Jerry, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the age of 61 in Milpitas, California, following a lingering illness. Born on December 30, 1964, the third of four siblings, Jerry lived every single day with deep gratitude to the Lord. His life was beautifully defined by his greatest blessings: his loving wife, Mimi, his two wonderful sons, Josh and Terence, and his lifelong passion and second love—his career as an engineer.

From his very earliest days, Jerry possessed a remarkably calm and gentle spirit. As a toddler, he was entirely tranquil, never throwing tantrums; he would often drift off to sleep right at the dinner table with food still in his mouth. He was rarely seen without his favorite slippers, whether playing indoors or out. Blessed with the fairest skin among the family members, his hair beautifully glistened blonde in the summer sun. He also carried a peculiar comfort with him: a beloved baby pillow that he securely tucked into his kindergarten backpack on his very first day of school. Even as a child, Jerry was always ready to lend a helping hand, especially to anyone experiencing trouble with electronics.

His journey in education began at age six at Our Lady of Fatima Canossian College (OLFCC) in San Pablo City, Laguna. OLFCC became an all-girls school starting in the fifth grade, Jerry and his older brother, Raymund, transferred to San Joaquin Elementary School in the barrio where they were raised. Their devout mother impressed Catholicism upon them when Sundays were church days and that, they studied in a Catholic school run by nuns, and the Dominicans consecutively. They volunteered on Sundays to be altar boys. And on occasions, they were asked to assist the Catechists to share the Bible Stories to the school children. That is why, they learned how to live like Christians and how to pray. There, they were under the watchful eye of their mother, "Inay," who served as the sixth-grade advisor and graduation music coordinator of the entire school.

In the summer of 1977, the Moncada family relocated to the bustling university belt of Manila. Jerry’s parents took over a variety store and student dormitory, anchoring the family in a vibrant community of learning. Jerry attended high school at the University of Santo Tomas (UST)—the oldest Catholic university in Asia—and went on to graduate from the same university in 1986 with a five-year Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering.

After passing the National Board of ECE Exams and earning his credentials as a full-fledged engineer, Jerry’s impressive professional journey began. He started as a trainee with Sony Corporation International in Valenzuela, Bulacan before being recruited by Texas Instruments, where he contributed his talents for a year.

Driven by a desire to reach the peak of his profession, Jerry soon found his way to the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) in Rosario, Cavite—the Philippines' own bustling Silicon Valley. He spent three successful years as an engineer for Commodore, a major home computer and electronics manufacturer. While in EPZA, one of the companies offered a position for Jerry that he could not pass up so in mid 1993, Engr. Jerry moved to Data General, an IT and telecommunications industry. In 1994, searching on the classified ads of the Manila Times, Jerry saw an open position based in Hong Kong where he applied for. Fortunately for him and his valuable array of rich engineering experiences, his immense potential caught the eye of Astec Power who offered him a job through a long-distance phone interview. Recognizing his talent, Astec offered him a compelling opportunity to relocate to Hong Kong.

This marked the beginning of a remarkable 30-year tenure. Through major global corporate evolutions—merging into Emerson Electric in 1999, being acquired by Platinum Equity as Artesyn Embedded Technologies in 2013, and ultimately becoming part of Advanced Energy in 2019—Jerry remained a rock in his respective engineering specialty. He withstood every test of time and corporate change, navigating the shifting landscape with absolute dedication, professional grace, and a genuine enjoyment of the journey.

Because of his unwavering loyalty to his work, Jerry’s career allowed him to move freely across the globe, from the Philippines to Hong Kong, to Massachusetts, and eventually to California.

When he first moved to Hong Kong alone in 1994, the transition was challenging. Sensing his loneliness, his newly retired mother lovingly came to stay with him to help him adjust. Soon after, in late 1995, life changed beautifully when he met Mimi. The two fell deeply in love and married first in Hong Kong, and later in the Philippines. Together, they welcomed two incredible sons who became their absolute pride and joy: Josh, born in 2000, and Terence, born in 2006.

As time went on and Jerry’s parents migrated to California, his deep devotion to family prompted him to request for a job transfer to the United States so they could be close to one another. In January 2008, Jerry and his young family took a brave leap of faith, migrating into the cold winter of Boston, Massachusetts.

They spent a year in Boston, but the harsh East Coast climate proved difficult for Jerry's asthma. Seeking a healthier environment, the family relocated to Carlsbad in Southern California. While the climate was a welcome relief, it still kept them a two-hour drive away from his parents in the San Fernando Valley. Ever patient and determined to bring his family closer together, Jerry navigated another transition a year later, moving north to Fremont. They spent three wonderful years there building memories before finally settling into their permanent, final home in Milpitas in 2011.

Milpitas became the anchor for Jerry’s family for the next fifteen years. It was here that he truly saw his life's work come together—encompassed by the technology sector he loved, closer to the family he cherished, and watching his sons grow into the wonderful young men they are today.

In 2022, when he was diagnosed with the Big “C”, Jerry showed an exceptional strength to combat the struggle and enduring pain in the process. He didn’t stop working because there were no side effects at that time. He also decided to resign in 2023, from his long term employment and followed the footsteps of a few of his colleagues to work for Arista Corporation. It was such a big blow to Jerry to cut short his services and leave his projects unfinished due to his multiple trips to the ER, therapy sessions, to stay in sub-acute facilities and other medical-related appointments.

Jerry’s last precious days were deeply-filled in prayers: reciting the rosary, healing Masses, Divine Mercy novenas, the sacrament of the Last Rites (Anointing of the Sick). Before his final breath as shared by Sister Sylvia- he stayed on to complete his praying the rosary all the way to the Amen of the Hail, Holy Queen, as he was prayed over and surrounded by the nuns of the Daughters of Charities and the St. Patrick’s missionaries- such Divine blessings he received!

Jerry leaves behind a legacy of quiet resilience, brilliant engineering, and a fierce, unwavering devotion to his family; to his brothers of the Knights of Columbus; to his co-workers; and to his friends. Jerry Moncada will be deeply missed, but his journey remains an inspiration to us all.

Jose Agerico is survived by his wife Salvimae (Mimi); his sons-- Jeremy Josh & Terence Justin; his siblings-- Ate Millie, Kuya Raymund, and Aimee (youngest/bunso).