Rolando was born on May 20, 1941, in Zambales, Philippines, to Geronimo and Gertrudes Rondero. He was the first born of 9 siblings. At 21 years old, he joined the United States Coast Guard in 1962, devoting a total of 20 years of service. He eventually achieved a rank of Chief Petty Officer, earning other achievements along the way; such as a National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Award, Boxing Champion, and many others. After serving his first 7 years, he travelled back home to the Philippines where he married his wife of 52 years, Nieves Rondero. Within their first year of marriage, he petitioned his wife, Nieves, and their first-born son, Aldrin Rondero. From there, they moved into their first home in the United States located in Annette, Alaska.
During their time in Alaska, they welcomed another addition to the family; their daughter, Mylene Serna. Due to being active duty, Rolando and his family moved all over the country every 2-3 years. This brought them from Alaska, to Florida, to Washington, to Texas, then California, where they finally settled in the city of San Diego in 1982. He was later stationed in Boston, Massachusetts, but his wife stayed behind at their home in San Diego to focus on raising their two children. He finally retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in January of 1983. After 4 years of retirement and working other jobs, he got hired as an employee at the United States Postal Service. He held the position of mail-handler until 2004, retiring at the age of 62.
Rolando was a simple man that didn't take much to please. If he wasn't spending time with his wife or his family, he loved to enjoy his free time in his 3 favorite ways: watching horse races, playing poker with his friends, or going to the local casinos to play card games and slot machines. He also loved to be in the kitchen and cook, which was one of the many ways he expressed his love for his family. He spent a lot of quality time with his wife, Nieves, doing practically everything together. They spent years traveling the world to many different countries both near and far, making lots of memories with friends and family while never forgetting to capture every moment on camera. He also spent a lot of his time taking care of his 4 grandchildren: Breanna Janelle, Kalvin Michael, Aldrin Charles, and Ayden Gabriel, whom he loved and cared for deeply. He dedicated years to help babysit each and every one of them; driving them to and from school on a daily basis, making sure they had delicious meals throughout their days, and just being an all-around awesome grandpa. Driving distances as far as Murrieta or El Centro from his home in San Diego did not matter, because as long as his help was needed, he was always there for his family. He did more for his grandchildren than for his own children at times, because the meaning of what being a grandpa was to him, brought him so much pride and joy in his golden years. Rolando was a family man at best and never failed to show it in anything and everything that he did. A truly devoted husband, father, and grandpa.
Rolando, you have made a powerful impact on so many lives. Please know that you have inspired others, especially your family, through your continuous acts of love, devotion, and selflessness. You lived so gracefully even until the end of your days. Your memories and lessons will live on forever in the hearts of all of your loved ones. May you rest now and be with God and your loved ones who passed, at eternal peace, filled with love and light.
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