Romeo B Mongaya

(April 7, 1939 - October 14, 2022)Romeo (who was known to his most-loved friends and family by his nick-name, “Romy”) was the fourth and youngest son born to Jorge and Filomena Mongaya on April 7, 1939.There were ten births in this close-knit family, six of whom survived to adulthood. In his father’s autobiography “Up From Adversity” (written by Romy’s father Jorge Mongaya), one could read that Romy was the fair-skinned young boy who had curls like his older brother Reynaldo, and was was born with unique birthmark in the shape of a star. Perhaps it was a sign of things to come for this young man. He was an achiever even at a tender age! Fed partly on goat's milk, he was agile, and did not pass through the crawling stage as most children do. Instead, he took his first steps into the world as soon as he could stand up. He was 10 months old.

He was named after Dr. Romeo Atienza who was a member of the Boy Scout Council of the Philippines. Indeed, he became an active boy scout during the early school days. He was fond of declamation and his favorite piece was "Oh Captain, my Captain" which he could emote better than older students at the high school level. At this early age, he showed an inclination to care for wounded pets, prompting his older sisters to suggest veterinary medicine as career. Although it might have been worthwhile career path, he knew it was not the path for him and exclaimed "No, I don't want to be a doctor of the carabao!" (water buffalo)”. As a high school valedictorian - one of four valedictorians in the family of six - he entered the University of the Philippines (state university) as an entrance scholar and pre-med student at the Diliman campus. There he was a member of the UPCRL (Church of the Risen Lord) choir in the tenor section and also entered the brotherhood of DeMolays. During this time at UP, he took part in medical missions to the indigenous Mangyan tribe of Mindoro Island in central Philippines as well as other humanitarian activities. His Medical School studies and training were in Manila which he did partly at the huge complex of the Philippine General Hospital. To achieve full medical qualification in the Philippine system, medical board exams are taken on the 10th year of training, and first after passing this hurdle the MD qualification is bestowed. Romeo passed these board exams and soon after took the ECFMG to be able to go to the United States for his surgical residency training. He was just 25 when he gained his first residency post at Lakewood, Ohio.

During his residency, his fiancee, Ms. Doris Lagapa who was a nurse at the Grace Christian Clinic in Surigao City, also headed for Chicago. A year later, they married and settled in Denver, Colorado where Mark the first son was born. Later, Romy would take other state board exams eg. Washington State and the American College of Surgery in 1975.

The Mongaya family grew and would be augmented with three more sons (two of whom, Georgie and Keith, have passed on at a young age).The remaining siblings Mark and Rick Mongaya have settled in the Tampa Bay area close to their mother Doris.The family home has relocated from such places as Martinsburg, West VA, to Biloxi, Mississippi and then finally to Seminole, FL where all four grandchildren (Ethan Mongaya, Romy (3rd) Mongaya, Leilani Mongaya, and Rey Mongaya) come to visit frequently for meals and church visits.

Romy had early an interest in the medical profession. At an early age he knew he wanted to spend his life in the service of others, helping where he could in the healing process for those suffering from maladies and illness. He stated many times during his life that, first and foremost, he wanted to be a help to others and that the practice of healing others was the source of his greatest satisfaction. In fact, that is why he chose to serve his entire career within the Veterans Administration Hospital System as opposed to entering private practice as did many of his classmates. In his estimation, working for the Vets was the truest expression of his desire to be a healer. His patients knew this, and many became his lifelong friends.

He had many passions; hobbies like fishing and golfing, singing (known as the Singing Surgeon around the wards) and music (a gifted guitarist like his brother!). His greatest passion was his grandchildren, whom he provided for and loved dearly.

It has been said that in the end, a man’s life is not truly measured in the number of days he had on this earth, but rather the amount of life lived in those days. Similarly, his wealth is not measured in what he’s accumulated, but in the happiness he has left behind in this world. Indeed, Romeo's was a rich and fruitful life well lived.

Romeo B. Mongaya was a loving husband, a devoted father, a doting grandfather, and a true friend to countless others whose paths he crossed during his lifetime. He will be greatly loved, and dearly missed until we reunite on the other side.

"O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won" -- Walt Whitman.