Pol was born in Aringay, La Union, Philippines to the late Ernesto and Rosalia Cacanindin. There Pol attended grade school and then graduated from Notre Dame Institute. In May 1965, at age 23, he enlisted in the United States Navy, which would become a lifelong career with many great adventures. He would find himself stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. During his time in the service, he was assigned to the USS Inchon (LPH/MCS-12), USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), USS Ashland (LSD-48), and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). He also worked alongside the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT). He received Good Conduct Awards and the National Defense Service Medal. He also attended Supply/Data Analysis School and Leadership Management Education and Training. His time as a Navy chef would shape how his future family and he would gather for meals and time together.
In November 1966, he met his wife, Juanita, when she worked at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Then, just two months later, they were married on January 28, 1967. At that time the two moved to Norfolk together where they began to watch their family grow. They built their first house and moved in April 1973. Over the course of their marriage and life together, they traveled across Europe, spending plenty of time in London, Ireland, Switzerland, Jerusalem, Germany, Italy, then up to Canada and down to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, Providenciales.
As his family grew, there were nightly family dinners. Many meals were prepared from his prized vegetable (or as he called them "fruits") garden. Each dish was worthy of Michelin Stars for their quality and presentation. You could often find Pol in his backyard greeting his plants and ensuring they had all the nurturing they could get. That was his secret to a bountiful harvest. Pol wouldn’t allow anyone to join him in the kitchen to cook because it was where he created his masterpieces often saying, "I cook. You eat. I clean." He was so gifted that he was able to successfully grow a variety of Filipino vegetables that are difficult to cultivate locally. When proposed to sell his harvest, he refused and proclaimed, “I will never sell my fruits because the meal won’t have the same taste and you don’t sell them to friends. I grow my own fruits and give them away with love.”
Pol and his wife had an entrepreneurial business (AJC International, Inc.) which focused on staffing for many establishments such as nursing placement at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, and business offices, family care staffing, and hotel industries throughout Turks and Caicos. Pol and Juanita even found success in real estate, more so when Juanita stopped driving and Pol would drive her to showings. This was the start of his delightful new career as a BMW (Bring Momma to Work) chauffeur. “Driving Ms. Daisy” was an ongoing inside joke within the Filipino community.
When in Hampton Roads, Pol and his wife became members of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. He was also a member of many organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Order of the Knights of Rizal, the Masons, The United Ilocano Association of Tidewater, Inc., The Philippine Veterans of Hampton Roads, Council of United Filipino Organization of Tidewater (CUFOT), Inc., Our Lady of Namacpacan Organization, and Samahang Tagalog Organization.
His extensive list of religious, social, civic, and political activities exemplifies his love of his community and embodies the spirit of the Catholic Church. He was even awarded by President Donald J. Trump for his outstanding achievements within his community. He is also featured in the book titled “In My Uncle’s Words” catalogued at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library in Virginia Beach.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly 53 years: Juanita Palting Cacanindin; his three children: Marivic C. Adachi (Toru Adachi), Richard Paul Cacanindin (Dr. Vivian Mapanao), and Rosalie Mae C. Shepard (Louis William Shepard, Jr.); his five grandchildren: Tiffany Victoria Adachi, Zoe Cacanindin, Sofia Eloise Shepard, Helena Rose Shepard, and Isabella Juliette Shepard; his seven sisters: Erlinda Cacanindin, Rosalina Cacanindin, Ursulina C. Dulatre (Benigno Dulatre), Jesusa C. Vizcarra, Juanita C. Smith (Bobby Smith), Gloria C. Ramiscal (Jun Ramiscal), and Fe C. Cacanindin; numerous nieces and nephews; and many lifelong friends.
Visitation and wake will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 4-10pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502, with a Novena at 6pm.
Funeral mass will be officiated by Fr. Cristiano Brito on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 10am at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, with a reception to follow.
Inurnment will take place at Albert G. Horton Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd, Suffolk, VA 23434 at a later date in a private service.
