Onofre Sapiera Dioquino

Onofre (Fred) Sapiera Dioquino age 79, of Pinellas Park, passed on Friday, March 4 at Hospice House Woodside in Pinellas Park, FL. He was born in Banaoang, Calasiao, Pangasinan, Philippine Islands and emigrated to the United States in 1955. The United States were permitted to recruit citizens of the Phillipines for voluntary enlistment under the Military Bases Agreement of 1947 between the U.S. and the Republic of Phillipines allowing Filipinos to become members of the U.S. Armed Services which is still in effect today. Fred was granted permanent residency in the U.S. for honorably serving his first 3 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and subsequently became a U.S. citizen in 1964 under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. He and his family moved to Florida in 1965 from Baltimore, Maryland where he spent the first half of his military career.

Fred served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1955 to 1975 as a Steward, Commissaryman and Subsistence Specialist. His duty assignments included the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Alameda, CA, the Coast Guard Cutter Conifer in Morehead, NC, Coast Guard Cutters Chinook, Violet and Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, MD, Loran Station Cape Atholl, Greenland, Coast Guard Cutters Juniper, Vise and the St. Petersburg Air Station, FL where he retired. He had over 14 years of sea duty during his career. During his retirement he was a self-employed barber. He continued his fellowship with the U.S. Coast Guard through his association with the local retired Filipino Coast Guardsmen. Fred was also an active member of the Filipino-American club in Pinellas County.

He is survived by his wife, Concepcion P. Dioquino, Pinellas Park, FL; His son, Timothy D. Dioquino and wife Judith of Burke, VA; daughter Teresa R. Dioquino and Lisa McKinney, Dunedin, FL; grandchildren Elizabeth A. Dioquino and Michael P. Dioquino of Burke, VA; Stepson Pedro Buada and wife Juanita of Oroville, CA; Stepdaughters Catherine Ramirez and husband Joseph of Oroville, CA and Theresa Dominick and husband James of Dunedin, FL; Step grandchildren, Zerimar Ramirez and Maria Ramirez of Oroville, CA, Margarita Ramirez of St. Petersburg, FL, William Urquia, Pedro Buada, Rosita Nott and Jennifer Buada of Oroville, CA. Fred had five step great grandchildren. He was preceded by the death of his first wife, Betty Swartzbaugh Dioquino in 1990.

Gathering of Friends Visitation will be held Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 1:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Onofre (Fred) S. Dioquino's name to the Suncoast Hospice Foundation, https://www.thehospicefoundation.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=184. Arrangements are under the direction of Moss Feaster Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1320 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 562-2040. Condolences may be offered at www.mossfeasterdunedin.com.



















Arrangements under the direction of Moss Feaster Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dunedin, FL.