Mr. Romeo Ragudos Carambas

Romeo "Romy" Ragudos Carambas was born in Telbang, Alaminos, Pangasinan, Philippines, on May 23, 1939 to Joseph Raon Carambas and Martina Ragudos Carambas and went peacefully home to the Lord on February 12, 2012. Romeo Ragudos Carambas and Excelsa DelaCruz Carambas were married in San Vicente,  Alaminos, Pangasinan on November 22, 1967. He is survived by his wife Excelsa, son Romeo DelaCruz Carambas, daughter Lynn Carambas Preslar, son-in-law Steve Preslar and their children Chelsea Nicole, Zachary Michael, Jordyn Briana and Cameron Brent, as well as his brother Celso Ragudos Carambas. Romeo was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joseph, Jr. and sister Josephine Carambas Lomibao.   Romeo is also survived by nieces Tessie, Imelda, Elaine and nephew Joshua, an aunt, an uncle and many cousins in the Philippines and last but not least, his beautiful female cat "Chipi" given by his son, who bothered him every morning for food or a treat, followed him wherever he went until she got what she wanted, liked to relax on Romeo's chest or stay beside him whenever she saw him lying down or relaxing, and also kept on bugging Excelsa whenever she wanted to go out of the house for sunshine.   Romeo grew up in the Philippines, near the Hundred Islands National Park; the Lingayen Gulf was his playground, enjoying fishing and diving for giant clams alongside his brother, Celso. When Romeo was not in the ocean, he was either salt-making or farming on the family's rice plantations—growing vegetables and tobacco with his brother Celso, while his mother and sister, Josephine, tended to the house. Romeo also had a gifted voice and enjoyed singing traditional Ilocano ballads, as well as had a special healing gift in practicing Hilot, an ancient Filipino art of healing, on many who needed healing. Romeo attended Alaminos High School and enjoyed participating on the ROTC Drill Team.   In search of a better life, Joseph Raon Carambas brought the family to Chula Vista, CA, by way of Hawaii (where Joseph had worked as a "sakada") in 1958, arriving by sea. In the 1960's, after having moved to Normal  Heights in San Diego, Romeo worked at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and in the 1970's as Sous Chef at the La Valencia Hotel and Stardust Hotel, during which time he won awards in the culinary arts, before working at IVAC / Alaris Medical Systems, Inc. He played a critical role as Inspector for intravenous infusion therapy and patient monitoring instruments, and travelled across the country to ensure the integrity of the instruments.   During that time, Romeo enjoyed bowling, winning several awards and bowling perfect games—even having bowled on the 1970's game show "Bowling for Dollars"; enjoyed trips to casinos, fishing off the Ocean Beach and Shelter Island piers as well as deep-sea fishing. After his stroke in 2007, Romeo continued his passions by bowling on the Wii, or playing slots, blackjack or solitaire on his laptop. He also enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams—the San Diego Chargers and San Diego Padres—if he wasn't watching the Discovery Channel. In his final years, Romeo exhibited perseverance, tenacity and strength despite a debilitating stroke in 2007—often pushing aside any preferential treatment due to his disability. A fierce sense of humour as well as fiercely protective, emotionally and physically strong as well as caring, generous, humble, kind and devoted describes Romeo's many remarkable characteristics. Celso recalled an early childhood memory, revealing Romeo's characteristics in when, after having been bitten by a snake, Romeo carried him a few miles to get help.   A lifelong follower of Christ and parishioner at St. Didacus Catholic Church and Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Romeo retired in 2007 and had since enjoyed the company of his wife, grandchildren, many family and friends, and his cat, Chipi. He is now released and is in Heaven with his Lord Jesus Christ.   Thank you all for your support and love at this time,   Excel, Romeo Jr., Lynn, Steve, Chelsea, Zachary, Jordyn & Cameron ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special THANK YOU to The Bereavement, Legionaries, Divine Mercy, Apostleship Prayer and Santo Nino groups, and Holy Rosary Family Group Worldwide under the guidance of founder Linda Guillermo. To all our relatives and friends and all those who in one way or another prayed the Rosary/Novena for Romeo, Sr. for 9 days. To Tessie Cabatic Carambas, Imelda Lomibao Bandola, Elaine Carambas Lomibao, Joshua Carambas Lomibao and Claire Cabatic; Macaria Cabatic Carambas & Celso Ragudos Carambas (who also provided family historical information), Sixto & Luz Carambas, Jimmy Carambas, Jimer Carambas, Jonathan Ragudos, Leonila Carambas, Ben DelaCruz, Cora Carambas Doliente, Dr. Clarita Carambas, M.D., Paterno Lomibao and Tina Ranches for your amazing support. To Patrick & Christine Cho and Lighthouse Bible Church San Diego, John & Angela Kim and Lighthouse Bible Church San Jose, Kristine Ramirez & Family, Lawrence prijoles & Cristy's Bakery, Hage Elementary PTA, Wagenheim Middle School PTSA, Ofelia Oakry, Diana Zuniga, Maxine Johnson, Patty Tomasula, Jessica Peterson, Sandra Leone, Amy Goldstein, Lisa Tu, Pam Weisenberg, Audrey Lacey, Maria & Jason Constein, AmahBelle Munar, and many other friends too numerous to mention for your support and love. To Joseph & Sherry Novelozo, Sue McClendon, Larry & Amy Galibut, Patrick Harpole & Family, Roman Beck & Family, Martin & Nicole Donnelly, Cliona Plunkett, Melanie Vuynovich, Eugenia Perez Guilin, Shoshana & Rod Mesa, Christine Lehtonen, Michelle Garcia and Richard Maldonado for your unending emotional support and friendship from near and afar.