Emmanuel G. Solanoy

Quiet and with an always unassuming smile, Emmanuel Guevara Solanoy, AKA Dad to his family, “Dodoy” to his brothers and sisters, Vic to his close friends and town mates, Manny and Tattoo (yes, that Tattoo) to his Navy buddies passed peacefully into the night on March 28, 2021 in San Jose, California. Emmanuel was born on October 27, 1937 in the Philippine town of Nabas in the province of Aklan. He proudly called San Jose his home after establishing roots in 1978 with his wife Mercedes, his wife for 52 years.

Emmanuel was the son of Pedro Solanoy and Elisea Guevara of Nabas, Aklan, Philippines and brother to his surviving sisters Prosperidad and Rhodora, and his brothers who have both passed, Pedrito and Lucius.

He is the husband of Mercedes and father of Victor who married Angela Hill, and Lynette who married Rick Borges. He is the proud “Lolo” to Savannah Hill-Solanoy, Myles Hill-Solanoy, Lourdes Hill-Solanoy, Dylan Borges, Teagan Borges and Oliver Hill-Solanoy. His grandchildren were his love and his strength.

Emmanuel was proud of his 23 years of Navy service, retiring in 1986, most of his service as a proud submariner. He enlisted in the Philippines in 1963 allowing a poor boy from a small Philippine town to see the world, meet influential people and in the 1980’s quietly played an important role in safe guarding our country’s secrets. Because of the US Navy, he met the love of his life, Mercedes Barrientos in San Francisco while stationed at Treasure Island. They married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Daly City, California in 1969.

He was humble in his achievements and questioned why he was deserving of the life he lived, but Emmanuel was a strong family man, full of integrity and resolute on doing the right thing every moment of his life. While he never understood why he was deserving, everyone who knew him understood why.

His presence will be missed but his spirit will live with us for our remaining days.