Cleofe Merza Mayor

Cleofe Merza Mayor, born on April 9,1937 in Dulit, Infanta, Pangasinan, Philippines, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026 in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the age of 88.

Cleofe proudly served in the United States Navy for 20 years, starting his military service on the USS ENTERPRISE, the nation's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, and retired in Norfolk, Virginia. He served at various naval stations in Alameda, California, Quonset Point, Rhode Island, Guam, and Italy. He performed his duties with honor, commitment, and integrity. Throughout his service, he was recognized for his accomplishments and devotion to serving his country. He enjoyed learning and pursued further education earning two Associates Degrees one being in Applied Science Degrees and the other in Business Management and Accounting.

A man of simple pleasures. Cleofe took great joy in gardening, reading books and encyclopedias, sleeping through movies, playing cards with his friends, drinking coffee, and eating Filipino cuisine. He dearly loved his grandchildren, and great grandchildren who always made him smile.

While he attempted to learn new technologies to watch boxing and search for unfamiliar words, he couldn't quite master text messaging and voicemail, as they were often cryptic. His emergency contacts adapted to his frequent inadvertent emergency SOS calls at all hours. He constantly changed the languages on his phone from English to a random foreign language because he was trying to learn how to use his precious iPhone.

While he was mostly quiet and a man of few words, his wry remarks and sense of humor will always be cherished and remembered. Cleofe lived a full life, content with being surrounded by his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his garden.

Cleofe was preceded by his parents Augustin Mayor and Concordia Merza, sister (Demi Malong), and two wives (Bellarosa and Elisa Macadag-um). Cleofe is survived by his beloved Felicisima "Fely" Erezo. He was surrounded with love from the Erezo family. Fely's sons: Dennis (Nancy) Renzo, Nikki, DJ; Dave (Mona) Mahal, Issa; Darwin (Diane) Tyler, Charles; and Dionisio "John" (Kathleen) Rose, Sarah, Ella.

Bellarosa's sons and daughter: Rodrigo Mayor (Jocelyn); Francis and daughter Belle (Joseph Bensan) Zerachiel, Azariah, Aleia; Ray Mayor (Beth) Maria, Francis; Elisa (Remy) Cleobelle.

Elisa Macadag-um's sons and daughters: Leo Mayor (Lena) Andrew; Fae Houck (Chris) Matthew, Elisa Jane; Jerome Mayor (Christine) Joshua (Jackie) Jackson, Sophie, Madeline; and Melanie Mayor.

Mercelita Sualog: Leomar Sualog (Cristina) Cahlix and Cayler.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Altmeyer Funeral Home and Cremations, Southside Chapel located at 5033 Rouse Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462. The family warmly invites all those who wish to honor Cleofe's memory to join them for the service and a reception immediately following its conclusion.

Cleofe Merza Mayor will be remembered as a dedicated serviceman, a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather with a deep appreciation for the simple things in life. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory continue to live within us.