Emiliano Robles Mendoza Jr.

Emiliano Robles Mendoza Jr., 70, passed away peacefully in San Diego on September 21, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was a cherished father, uncle, brother, and friend, and his presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Emiliano was born on February 13, 1956, in San Jose, Batangas City, Philippines. Fondly known as “Bubut” by his family, he studied Electrical Engineering at Mapúa Institute of Technology in Manila and worked as an aircraft technician for Philippine Airlines before moving to California in the 1980s. He spent years working for General Dynamics in Los Angeles and San Diego and, along the way, also enjoyed working part-time as a taxi driver. Later, he devoted much of his time to being a stay-at-home father and caring for his own parents. He happily called California home for the rest of his life.

Emiliano will be remembered for his humor, generosity, resourcefulness, and caring nature. He was always ready with a dad joke—often one he had been telling for years—and loved making the people around him laugh. He had a remarkable ability to understand how things worked and how to fix them. From radios and televisions to household appliances, bicycles, cars, and just about anything else, if something broke, he would find a way to repair it. He was constantly tinkering, DIYing, looking up solutions, buying the parts, and acquiring whatever new tool he needed along the way.

That resourcefulness carried into everyday life. Emiliano kept an eye out for good deals, tracked prices, repurposed things others might throw away, and saved useful odds and ends, knowing they might come in handy someday. If he found something he liked, he would often buy an extra so someone else could “try it.” He never asked for much for himself, but he was always thinking of ways to share with and care for the people he loved.

Emiliano also loved movies and television of every genre and was always eager to recommend his latest favorite—often insisting that you had to watch it too. Whether he was fixing something for you, finding you a deal, handing you an extra snack, sharing something he thought you’d enjoy, or telling the same joke for the hundredth time, these small acts were his way of showing love.

He leaves behind his two children, his four siblings, and a large extended family who will miss his humor, generosity, and unmistakable presence.

A memorial service will be held for Emiliano at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego on October 9, 2026. Family and friends are welcome to share their memories and photos of him as we remember and celebrate his life.