Napoleon Alda Rentar

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, Napoleon Alda Rentar, who left us on July 2, 2025 at the age of 84. Born on May 4, 1941 in San Fabian, Pangasinan, Philippines, Napoleon, AKA Paul, was the eldest of six. His childhood in the Philippines was filled with the love of family and the strong values that would shape the remarkable man he became.

After serving 10 years in the U.S. Navy, he continued his career with the United States Postal Service, where he worked tirelessly for 30 years. His commitment to both his country and his work reflected his strong sense of duty and perseverance.

Through friends he met Fe Tubal Calipusan on the east coast and then married in 1965 in Salinas, California. While he was stationed in Groton, Connecticut their first child, John was born in 1966, then later when stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, their second child, Charles was born in 1970. After his service in the Navy, the family moved to Salinas, California, where they first stayed with his Uncle Ricardo, Auntie Sherry and Susan Aremas. In 1972, they bought a house in North Salinas, lovingly known as “Van Buren,” and Fe was diagnosed with Lupus that summer, sadly passing away in November. Napoleon raised the two boys with the help of the Aremas family and Romy Aruiza. In the next few years, Napoleon’s mom, dad and siblings arrived in the States to live in the Van Buren house, creating a hub for family and friends for many family gatherings.

In 1981, he married Maria Lucia Estepa Rodriguez in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines. The following year, they moved to Prunedale, California, where the family gatherings continued on the weekends. They had two children, Theresa, born in 1985 and Pilar, born in 1990, in Monterey, California. They also bought an RV that allowed them to create memories by traveling with many family members through three different countries, from Canada, through the west coast of the United States, down to Ensenada, Mexico. In 1991, Napoleon took an early retirement from the US Postal Service. Thereafter, they divorced in 1992, but continued to co-parent their children. He moved in with his eldest son, John, in Murrieta, California, bringing the two youngest girls and all their cousins, Ron, Riza, Kathy, Melissa, Sheena, Kristy, Randy, Amanda, Clyde, Clarence and others to live during the summers and holidays, where fond childhood memories were cultivated. These included, but are not limited to, fishing at the pier in Oceanside, Castle Park, 4th of July fireworks, Mulligans, Cosmic Bowling, and filming their famous talent shows that their Manong Chuckie used to record. In 2006, Napoleon moved in with his sister, Tessie Ulanday, and brother-in-law, Claro Ulanday, in Moreno Valley, California.

As the patriarch of the Rentar family, Napoleon instilled the importance of family, connection, love and presence with one another by consistently showing up, being there and being a part of all their family traditions. Specifically he would always be present for their yearly Rentar Reunion, that started with the passing of his mother, Rizalina, who’s dying wish was for all her family members to gather at least once a year. He fervently continued this tradition until his final day.

For all those who know Napoleon, his sense of humor, wit and charm are unmatched. He loved to travel, specifically to the Philippines, where he was planning to return in October. Napoleon had the fondest memories of those he met and connected with in San Fabian, Dagupan, Tagbilaran City, Cebu City and through many other areas throughout the Philippines. Specifically, he always cherished his time spent with his grandniece, Raiah & Nella and grandnephew, Reddy, in Baguio. Further hobbies he loved are gardening, cooking, deep-sea fishing and most importantly, the casino, for just “2 hours.”

Now, he joins his son, Charles “Chuckie” Rentar (2020), his mother, Rizalina Rentar (2005), his father, Vicente Rentar (1998), his wife, Fe Rentar (1972), his brother, Bert Rentar (2013), his nephew, Neil Rentar (1997), his sister-in-law, Aurora Rentar (2024) and his brother-in-law, Claro Ulanday (2025) in heaven. He is survived by his sister, Tessie Ulanday, his brothers, Renato & Romulo Rentar, his children, John & Dawn Rentar, Theresa & Chris Flynn, Pilar and Tommy Ha, and his grandchildren, Faith, Kai, Maya, Skye, Kimylie and Riley.