Cupertino Opina

Cupertino “Peling” Opina, Sr., age 96, went to be with our Lord peacefully in his sleep on October 1, 2020 in Riverside, CA. One of the three children, he was born on September 18, 1924 in Hermoza, Bayambang, Philippines to the late Juan Opina and Fortunata Felix.

Peling, as he is known to his family circles and close friends, went to Grammar and High School in Hermoza, a small farming village in the City of Bayambang. After graduation from high school he attended college in Manila, Philippines to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. However, after two years, he decided to return home and assisted in the family farming during the war. After the war, he met his future wife Buena Navarro, who at that time was a Salvation Army Minister assigned to the Hermoza Corps. Peling became a ‘salvationist’, and on April 1953, the two wed. Soon thereafter, he entered the Salvation Army Officers’ Training School and subsequently was commissioned as Salvation Army Minister on July 1,1957. Various appointments took them throughout the Philippine Islands as Corps Officers. In 1966, Peling was selected to attend the prestigious Salvation Army International College for Officers in London, along with other Salvation Army Ministers around the world.

In the spring of 1971, the family emigrated to the United States, where Peling and Buena continued Salvation Army ministry in Koloa, HI, as Assistant Corps Officers. The following summer, the family moved to Oahu, HI., and Peling worked in the Hotel industry, where he rose to the position of Business Agent Representative of the Hotel Union. After his retirement in 1987, he moved to San Diego, CA to be with his family. He and Buena devoted their time assisting in caring for their grandchildren. In 1994, Peling and Buena finally moved to their retirement home in Murrieta, California.

Peling loved sharing the Word of God, stayed very active member of the Salvation Army wherever they were. The family attended the Kauluwela Mission Corps in Honolulu, HI, Kaneohe Corps in Kaneohe, HI, Citadel Corps in San Diego CA, Escondido Corps in Escondido, CA and Murrieta Corps in Murrieta, CA. Peling was very passionate about family values. He loved sharing old stories with grandchildren, leading family devotions, and cooking for the family. He loved playing chest, checkers and card games with wife Buena and grandchildren.

Peling is survived by his children, son Rick Opina of Temecula, CA, son Cupertino Opina, Jr of Murrieta, CA, daughter Kathleen Prokop of San Jacinto, CA; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, who passed away a few months ago.

Because of the current restrictions imposed by the county, viewing, burial and celebration of life will take place on October 24th, and seating is very limited. Please contact Rick Opina 951 541 7568, or Cuper Opina, Jr at 951-500-0483 by October 20th if you desire to attend any of the aforementioned events. The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for him during the last seven years. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes monetary donations to be given to his chosen charity.

When you realize that God loves you and that He has a plan for your life, you can walk with your head held high—totally confident in who He created you to be. – Joyce Meyer