Artemio V Herrera's Obituary
Artemio Villaluz Herrera was born on October 28, 1928, in Fort Mills, Corregidor, in the Philippines, to parents Paula Villaluz Herrera and Mateo Salonga Herrera. He succumbed to cancer on November 8, 2013.Artemio lived a rich and full life, beloved by his extended family and wide circle of friends. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March, and graduated from the University of the East in Manila, representing the Philippines in the East Asian Olympics in Track and Field. After joining the United States Navy, he was deployed to Operation Deep Freeze in 1956, a historical expedition, making him one of the first Filipinos to visit both the North and South Poles.He married Milagros Pido in 1962 and settled his family in San Leandro, California, where they became active members of St. Felicitas Catholic Church. He retired after 22 years at American Can Company, but between volunteer work and sports, kept up a very busy schedule. He played basketball well into his 60’s before switching to softball. He participated and won several events at the Alameda County Senior Olympics. A competitive pool player and suave ballroom dancer and instructor, he was a regular at the Castro Valley and San Leandro Senior Centers. Artemio was known for his zest for life, sense of humor, great generosity, deep love of family, and strong personal character and charisma. He will be missed dearly and remembered always.He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Milagros Pido Herrera; his daughters, Yvette and Yvonne and their husbands David Collins and Gerard Staples; his son, Joseph; his brother Eugenio; his sisters, Illuminada Ambrosio and Pacita Franco; his six grandchildren, Ashley, Lucas, Quinten, Clare, Donavon and Ava, and numerous nephews and nieces by whom he was affectionately known as Tito or Daddy Tim. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Lydia de Quina, and his brothers, Domingo, Junior and Robert.A Rosary was said at 10:00 am, followed by a Mass at 11:00 am, on Friday, November 15, 2013 at St. Felicitas Church, 1662 Manor Blvd., San Leandro. Burial followed at Chapel of the Chimes, 32992 Mission Blvd, Hayward, with a reception afterwards at St. Felicitas.
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