Mario (also known as JoJo to friends and relatives) was born on January 29, 1959 in Pandacan, Manila, Philippines. He was the eldest son out of the 10 children born from Jose Valenciano Sipin and Rosita Laroya Sipin. He earned elementary school education at Saint Joseph Elementary School and graduated high school at Saint Francis Catholic School. He migrated to the US with his family in October 1978. Mario earned some college level education at Foothill College, Mission College, and De Anza.
In 1998, he met and married Judith Fernandez Sipin. They had two children, Sandra Rose Sipin and Paula Joy Sipin. Mario and Judith have been married for 22 years.
Mario Sipin loved to sing, especially old songs like The Beetles and The Bee Gees. He loved to compose songs and play guitar. He also loved to play the games on Facebook. During his single life, he loved to babysit his nephews and nieces. At first, he didn’t like the idea of having a pet, but when he met Ichiro, a Maltese-Yorkie breed, he changed his mind and wanted to adopt him. Ichiro became his and the family’s first pet. Then, at his youngest daughter’s school, he met some parents who asked him if he wanted another dog. Without telling his wife, he brought home their second dog, Luna. They ended up having four dogs total. He worked for 20 years at HP Agilent and 5 years in Philips.
He had his first mild stroke and heart attack in 2005. He was hospitalized again in 2011. In 2015, he had another stroke and heart attack that affected the left side of his brain. Because of his faith in God and love for his family, he had the will power to continue living until October 10, 2020, when his heart became very weak. He was brought in by the paramedics due to his difficulty breathing and weak function of the heart. Even though he was comatose for seven days, he continued to fight for his life and woke up. After two days of waking up, he was brought back to ICU, but his heart was too weak. He passed away on the 21st of October.
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Family:
Judith Fernandez Sipin - Wife
Sandra Rose F. Sipin - Daughter
Paula Joy F. Sipin - Daughter
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Parents: Jose Valenciano Sipin and Rosita Laroya Sipin
Siblings: Sheila Sipin Fernandez; Edwin L. Sipin and Erwin L. Sipin; Joselito L. Sipin; Vincent L. Sipin; Michael L. Sipin; Francis L. Sipin; Dennis L. Sipin and Anthony L. Sipin
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To My Husband Mario Jose "Jojo" Sipin from your loving Wife
No one can beat how we started our love story. I will always remember how we started. Julie Sipin, my friend and classmate in college (Mike’ wife, your brother) wanted me to meet you and I met you at Christian’s birthday party (Dennis son) on January 1998. I lived at Julie and Mike’s house at that time and since you were babysitting Gabbi, I had no escape but to see you everyday. I did not tell you that sometimes I didn’t want to see you, and once I saw your car at Julie’s house, I had to make u turn and not go home because I know you were there to babysit Gabbi and you are a persistent man. While babysitting Gabbi, at the same time, you babysat me too.
On February 14, 1998, I don’t know what happened, or maybe it was because of the champagne, pizza, and you singing to me and playing guitar we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend. On April 1998, I just told you that my eldest sister and family from Arizona are coming to meet you but you brought your mom and dad. I was so surprised and wondering why mommy and daddy were with you, then Dennis came along too. After meeting with my eldest sister and family, all of you were talking about a wedding. I wondered who’s wedding… then my sister whispered to me “why Judith you wanted to have a church wedding?” OMG, I was shocked, I am going to get married? You did not even do the proposal yet and where’s the engagement ring? You just said I will buy you one and laughed at me. In short, we got married on May 3, 1998 at Hilton Wedding Chapel at Reno, NV. On the same year, June of 1998 (it was Father’s Day), I found out I am pregnant with our daughter Sandra. Every time we thought about how we started, I was always kidding with you, “Love, I met you January. February, we’re boyfriend and girlfriend. April, marriage proposal. May, our wedding and June, I’m pregnant… then when we will get divorce?” and you just smiled and said that won’t happen. Now we were married for 22 years and 5 months (May 1998 – Oct 2020).
I miss the way you surprised me. Every Valentine’s day, Mother’s Day and my birthday, I have roses. How can I forget the balloons, roses, and chocolates from you when I opened my car at my work’s parking lot? But when you had the stroke and heart attack, I got no more roses from you. It’s okay, it’s not your fault- it’s your sickness. These last few months, you always said, “Love, thank you and I love you” and I miss those words from you. The house is so quiet. I miss when you asked for your coffee, I miss taking care of you, especially at night. I usually go upstairs very late to make sure that you are already sleeping before I go to bed. What would be my life when I go back to work? I am going to miss going back home to see you during my lunch break.
Me, Sandra, and PJ are so lucky to have you, especially how you took care our daughters. You will always be in our hearts. I am so happy that you are not suffering anymore, no more pain, you are now with our Lord. What I am asking of you is to pray for me to be stronger, to help guide me for our daughters.
I promise… that all our memories will never fade away.
Love, thank you for the endless love, all the memories - you will stay in my heart.
Rest in peace now and till we meet again.........
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