Plaridel C. Deza, 88, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed into the heavenly realm on Sun-day, March 15, 2020. He was born the youngest of seven children to Honorio and Ur-sula on July 17, 1931 in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. He grew up in Iloilo City. When WWII broke out in 1941, his education was suspended as a result of war-time school system closure. After the war, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of San Agustin. He sought a career in medicine, was admitted to the Univer-sity of Santo Tomas College of Medicine, and earned the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1956. He practiced family medicine for one year while in the Philippines. A desire for greater opportunity led him to the United States in 1957 where he began a medical residency in Connecticut. Subsequent medical career opportunities led him to practice in the states of New Jersey, New York, and Oregon.
He also lived and worked for a brief time in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, practicing internal medicine. The better part of his medical career (1962-1994), however, was spent in adult psychiatry. His career matured at Malcom Bliss Mental Health Center , St. Louis, Missouri where he began in 1968 as a staff psychiatrist. He rose to provide leadership as Chief of Staff and Director of Outpatient Services, eventually retiring after 26 years in the profession.
He married his sweetheart, Elizabeth Occena, (b. 1932 d. 2006) from Balasan, Iloilo, Philippines in August 1960 and was happily wed for 46 years. They were blessed with three children, Mary L., Victor J., and Patrick E. Deza who survive him this day. He and his wife raised their family in the St. Louis suburb of Creve Coeur during the years of 1970-1996. In 1974, he and his wife, Elizabeth, became United States citizens.
Seeking a new adventure post-retirement and escape from Midwest winters, he and his wife moved to sunny Las Vegas in Sept 1996. Their new residence in the Silver State allowed them to enjoy the frequent visits of their many nieces and nephews residing in California.
Outside of his professional career, Plaridel was a life-long lover of the written word, particularly poetry. He was a published poet, himself, winnning several poetry contests. He was also an avid movie lover. Other interests included table tennis, ballroom dancing, and cheering on the contestants of “Dancing with the Stars”. He was a devout Catholic and active parishioner of St. Monica Catholic Church, Creve Coeur, Mo and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Las Vegas. Additionally, he served as Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus organization and also led an active social life with the Filipino community of Summerlin, Las Vegas. He is loved and will be dearly missed by his children, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
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