Tim was born in Manila, Philippines to Apolinario Sunga and Clara Rivera Sunga on August 22, 1932. His family was originally from Porac, Pampanga. He was married to Milagros (Mila) Dominguez from 1954 until her passing in 2013. Tim and Mila owned a home in Imus, Cavite, and had seven children before immigrating to the United States in 1989. Together, Tim and Mila raised and educated their children with earnings from their meat shops and employment overseas. In February 2018, he married Rebecca Dotimas after years of close friendship.
Tim studied mechanical engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Philippines, and went on to become a fireman at NAS Sangley Point in Cavite City, Philippines. He was dedicated to his trade and had an illustrious career. His dedication to his profession truly shines in one miraculous event. In 1967, while working as a fire captain for Air America, Tim was on a plane from Thailand to Japan for a holiday. The plane crashed and Tim survived. After escaping from the burning wreckage, he helped to remove people from the plane and was one of the last survivors taken to the U.S. Navy hospital for a checkup. In 1968, he was recognized by the Queen of Thailand and was presented a medal for saving many lives from a burning building.
Tim had a knack for gambling and his love for Lady Luck brought him to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001 after living in San Diego, California for over 10 years. He went to the casino almost daily and believed that you’d never win if you weren’t afraid to lose money first. A few weeks before his passing, he felt strong enough to go to the casino with his daughter, Maria, and his caregiver, and spent many hours enjoying himself—a sweet respite from many months in bed.
He is joined in heaven by his first wife, Mila, and children, Timoteo Sunga Jr. and Shirley Ramirez. He is survived by his second wife, Rebecca, his children—Ramon Sunga and wife, Ninfa, Maria Ridgway and husband, Mike Ramos, Rosemarie Domingo and husband, Willy, Clarissa Moon and husband, Mark, Randy Sunga and wife, Emma, son in-law, Ramon Ramirez—and grandchildren—Faith, Maui, Jessica, Marantz, Angela, Hannah, Timothy, Apollo and Milo.
Funeral service will be held on November 8, 2019 at Palm Mortuary - Eastern, 7600 S Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada.
