Carlos Charlie DeGuzman Andaya

January 17, 1941 - June 26, 2017

El Cajon Mortuary 17:00 PM

Wednesday 07.12.2017

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 11:45 AM

Thursday 07.13.2017

Miramar National Cemetery 14:30 PM

Thursday 07.13.2017

Marina Village Conference Center - Seaside Room 16:00 PM

Thursday 07.13.2017

Carlos DeGuzman Andaya better known as Charlie will be remembered as a dear loved one, friend and an extraordinary individual. To family and friends who knew him best, Charlie's memory will be kept alive in their hearts.

Born on January 17, 1941, Charlie was the son of Crispinano & Agustina Andaya. Crispinano was native to Balayan, Batangas by way of Oas. Agustina was from the town of Magallanes in the neighboring province of Cavite. Charlie was the fifth child and third son. He was raised with four older siblings: Norma, Leonardo, Edgardo, Zosima and three younger siblings: Gilberto, Elma and Jocelyn. When he had spare time, he liked playing with his brothers, sisters, cousins and friends. He enjoyed American songs and movies of the era.

Charlie started working early in life by delivering fresh baked pan de sal & other pastries from his parent's bakery. Charlie also pumped gas at the Chinese neighbor's gas station. Charlie was happily paid in Chinese food which he fondly enjoyed throughout life. However, to Charlie, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends. Charlie was very intelligent and excelled in school. He attended the Balayan Institute High School.

In 1959 Charlie was enlisted with the US Navy with the help of his older brother, Edgardo. He was shipped across the Pacific Ocean along with the other Filipino recruits to Fort Mason, San Francisco, and then to Boot Camp in San Diego. He was also stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, NavFac in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and also lived in northern California, Connecticut & Texas. At this point, he was nicknamed Andy by his shipmates. Charlie worked on nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers and destroyers. Charlie saw action for the Cuban Missile Crisis in the Fall of 1962 and the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979 to 1981. Through his hard work in 1984 he made Lieutenant with retired pay of Chief Warrant Officer Four with 28 years of active duty. His fellow shipmates viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home. Charlie was also very fortunate to travel the world and see many sights while on deployment. Favorite travel spots for Charlie included Ireland, New York, France, Italy, Alaska & the Philippines.

Charlie enjoyed his college years, which may have been a challenge with all of the academics, responsibilities, and the sudden freedom that accompanied them, but Charlie was able to manage the balancing act. Charlie attended Golden Gate University, City College SF & National University San Diego. His favorite courses were literature and the arts.

On December 7, 1968 Charlie exchanged wedding vows with Beatriz Balneg in Chicago, Illinois after meeting a year or so earlier in Pennsylvania. Empathic and loyal, Charlie was committed to making his new family happy. Charlie worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Charlie was blessed with two children, son Jason & daughter Clarissa.

Fortunately, Charlie enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Charlie worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was a Naval officer. Charlie also worked for Digital Equipment Corporation, SAIC, Scottish Rite Event Center and Ranch Catering. Charlie often found himself in positions of responsibility and did what was necessary to get the job done.

Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, Charlie enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. Many old friends from Balayan also settled in San Diego where Charlie spent countless hours joking, playing poker, laughing & reminiscing with his fellow Batanguenos. Charlie enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Charlie was an avid reader about many subjects including mysteries, crime stories, military subjects and Philippine history. Charlie ordered, read and then donated many books to the Philippine Library & Museum in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego.

Charlie also enjoyed singing, watching movies new and classic, completing the daily crossword and playing against his family while watching Jeopardy. Charlie enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. He also had a knack for dancing and telling jokes. Charlie continued to stay active by running around the base. Charlie was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he had the chance to do so. He enjoyed watching American football and basketball.

Charlie’s faith was important to him. 32 years as an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church as a lector, Eucharistic minister & volunteer. During his lifetime, Charlie served as an altar server in the station chapel in North Carolina, a lector in the station chapel in Treasure Island and a lector at St. Anne's Church in Union City, CA.

Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Charlie was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included the Jose Rizal award in 2005.

When Charlie’s Naval retirement finally arrived in 1987, he was well prepared. It was a full circle with both boot camp and retirement from the US Navy in San Diego, California. In retirement, he found new pleasure in private business enterprises, event catering and volunteering at church. Charlie continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Charlie was active in his new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities life had offered him.

Throughout his life, Charlie was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. Charlie was an active member of the Balayan Association of San Diego and sponsored several students in the Philippines with their own studies. Charlie was also involved in the Cursillo, Filipino American Military Officers Association (FAMOS), Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego (COPAO), Knights of Columbus with OLMC, Mason at Coronado Lodge 441, an Al-Bahr Shriner and a member of the Elks Lodge. Charlie was a man who took pride in upholding his beliefs. Politically, Charlie was a Republican.

Charlie passed away on June 26, 2017 at Scripps Green Hospital Torrey Pines. Charlie fought a brave battle for 9 years against cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. He is survived by his wife, Betty, son Jason, daughter Clarissa and siblings Norma, Elma & Jocelyn. His viewing & wake will be held at El Cajon Mortuary on July 12, 2017 and his funeral mass will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and his burial at Miramar National Cemetery on July 13, 2017. Charlie will be laid to rest with military honors in Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California.

Simply stated, Charlie was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring, jovial, worldly and generous person, someone who was a vital part of many peoples lives. Charlie leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Charlie.