Felix R Marquez Jr.'s Obituary
(Citong) Felix R. Marquez, Jr.January 10, 1927 – November 20, 2018AlamedaOur wonderful Papa and Lolo passed from time into eternity on November 20, 2018.Felix Jr. (Citong) is survived by his three childrenFelix III (J), Jesus (Jess) and LaVerne (Verne).He also leaves his granddaughter Madelyne, daughter(-in-law) Kathy, brother Paterno (Pat, and his family), and goddaughter/adopted daughter Carmelita (Melit).Also numerous relatives here and in the PhilippinesHe was predeceased by his beautiful wife of 57 years, Henedina (Nedy).Felix Riego de Dios Marquez, Jr. was born in Cavite, Philippines to Dr. Felix Marquez Sr. and Consuelo (Elo) Riego de Dios. Life was initially carefree for the sons of the town doctor, ‘Citong’ (also ‘Felicito’) and his younger brother Paterno (Pat). Citong enjoyed hanging out with his group of friends and was known for his skill in playing basketball.Difficult times came with the occupation of the country by Imperial Japanese forces during WW II, where soldiers would often steal food from the townsfolk. Initially the industrious teenager joined a deep-sea fishing crew to help feed his family. The war also motivated the brave 16-year old to join the Philippine Army as a Private First Class in Weapons Platoon, “K” Company, 3rd Battalion, MVR Hunters from February 1943 until February 1946. Fortunately, the family survived those war-torn years.He later joined the United States Navy (from Sangley Point, Cavite) on 14 August 1953, and his main duty was serving as an air traffic controller. He may be the only Filipino in the Navy to take that challenging line of work.In November of 1956 while stationed at Naval Air Station Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY he met his future wife Henedina Molina Avellanosa, a traveling registered nurse (originally from Manila) who was working at the Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital (part of what is now the Jersey City Medical Center).Among their friends was a classic pairing of sailors and nurses. Citong was the one who had the car; so he would always drive mga kaibigan (their friends) around. He would also walk ‘Nedy’ daily from the hospital to the nursing residence after her work shift ended late at night.His persistence paid off and they were married by a justice of the peace on December 7, 1957. A church wedding followed in March the following year. Because they met and married in the United States, the pair was not even introduced to the in-laws in the Philippines until September 1958.Citong and Nedy had three children (previously listed) and continued to travel from duty station to duty station; being assigned to Naval Air Station Cubi Point (next to Naval Station Subic Bay), Philippines for three tours. Nedy continued to work on and off as a nurse while working at the hardest job in the Navy – the military wife and mother. While stationed at Cubi Point, Citong would drive his family 3 hours each way every weekend to Manila / Quezon City so that their children could spend time with their grandparents and extended family.Despite an almost 30-year career in the Navy, he ironically only spent about a month each on two ships (USS Menard APA-201 and USS Saratoga CVA-60). His last duty station was at Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda where he retired with the rank of E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) and rate ACCM (Air Traffic Controller, Master Chief). During his last few months his rate was changed to C/MC as he functioned as the Command Master Chief of NAS Alameda and retiring officially on 31 August 1982.Being a dedicated husband and father, Citong always provided for his family. He often worked a second job while in the Navy. One of his favorite jobs was working at the (now closed) Ye Olde Pizza Joynt (with the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ) in Hayward, CA where he was one of the managers. After the Navy, he continued to work for the government as a civil servant, where he was an Assistant Airport Manager at NAS Alameda until 1995 (two years before its closure).Citong was also an active member of the League of Fil-Am Vets (based in Union City) where he served as President from 2000 to 2002. He also was part of other veteran organizations such as FILAMOR (a Navy Filipino-American group in NAS Alameda) and the American Legion.After his second retirement, Citong and Nedy continued their travels; this time for fun. They have been on tours, cruises and pilgrimages all over this country, and in five of the seven continents. Favorite places include the Holy Land, Hawaii, Rome and Medjugorje. When not travelling, their favorite past time was ballroom dancing, being a well-known couple in the Bay Area senior dance circuit.Citong demonstrated his dedication to family once again by being the primary caregiver for Nedy during her prolonged illness. Fulfilling one of her wishes, their last family trip was a pilgrimage to EWTN studios and the Shrine of The Most Blessed Sacrament in Alabama celebrating Nedy’s last birthday in May 2014. His beloved wife died at St. Rose Hospital on Thanksgiving Day of that year.He continued to show his love for her by routine weekly visits to Nedy’s gravesite with his son and daughter, after Sunday Mass and family breakfast.He remained active into his 90s by gardening, driving, bowling, working out at the Coast Guard Island gym almost daily, and continuing ballroom dancing at least 4 days/week with his new partner and friend, Jenny Roberts.An amazing example of his stamina and strength was after the family had picked up his granddaughter Madelyne from the airport early morning on his 90th birthday in 2017. It was around 4 am and his first birthday activity was to carry her heavy suitcase by himself up to the second floor!When he wasn’t doing something physical, he would relax by working on Sudoku puzzles. His generosity was well known as he would often pay for meals or volunteer to drive for friends and family. He was also a creative handyman fixing or making things around the house; such as making cement steps to the driveway, adding footrests & a cane holder for our mother’s walker, and making a customized stepstool to enter the family van with a top that matched the carpet inside.Unfortunately, this year he was diagnosed with fast-acting terminal brain cancer and he lasted only month and a half from the day of diagnosis. Our family was edified by the daily calls from relatives and multiple visits from friends & fellow parishioners from St. Joseph Basilica and the League of Fil-Am Vets.Felix / Citong lived a good life. Like St. Joseph, he showed his love by his actions. He was a devoted husband and father, a loving grandfather, a good & loyal friend, and a proud American sailor and citizen. To us he is Papa or Lolo or Tito, and he is our greatest hero.
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