In Memory of

Alfredo

Zapanta

Obituary for Alfredo Zapanta

Alfredo Evangelista Zapanta Sr.
January 13, 1931 – December 30, 2020

On Wednesday, December 30, 2020, Alfredo Zapanta Sr, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away after a brief illness at 89 years of age at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is predeceased by his father Emiliano, mother Rosalina, and brother Luis. Alfredo is lovingly remembered by his wife Belen, his children Edna, Merly (Ponchie), Remy (Florante (deceased)), Cecille (Lito), Efren (Lani), Ellen (Roger), Alfredo Jr (Laida), Bing (Junior), Cathy (Aldreck), and Analie (Randy), his siblings Emila, Estella, and Arsenio. He will be greatly missed by his 31 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren who giggled with delight from his signature “saging”“banana” and “tusbok” gestures of affection. His children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, countless relatives, and friends fondly call him Tatang which is one of the Filipino terms of endearment for father.

Fredo was born on January 13, 1931 in the city of Antipolo in the Philippines. It was there that he met and wed the love of his life, Belen in 1952. Together they raised their ten children. They lacked material things at times, but never lacked love. Their home on Sto. Nino Street was often filled with the love, laughter, and banter of family and friends. Friends, family, and neighbors gathered together there each year on Holy Monday for the Reading of the Passion (pabasa): a tradition Fredo started in 1961 and hope to be continued by his children in his honor for the years to come. In 1995, he migrated to Canada along with Belen, Catherine, and Analie to join Remy, her husband Florante and their children Kristina and Kathrine and lived with them in Winnipeg for many years to come. For the last decade or so, he and Belen divided their time between Antipolo and Winnipeg in order to spend time with their loved ones in both cities.

Aside from his family, Tatang Fredo loved nature. He liked to go for walks, fishing, and on outings with family and friends. He built a humble haven in the mountains of Rizal where he enjoyed fresh air and clean streams with family and friends.

Tatang’s viewing is on Friday, January 8, 2020 at Mosaic Funeral Home, 1839 Inskter Boulevard, Winnipeg by appointment due to the provincial restrictions on gatherings. The family will be directly contacting those that can be accommodated and wish to apologize in advance to those who cannot. They will try to make the viewing available via livestream through the funeral home or social media for those who wish to pay their respects virtually.

Requiem mass will be held at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 748 Keewatin Street, Winnipeg on January 22, 2020. Attendance will be determined according to provincial rules on that date.

Fredo will be laid in his final resting place in the Philippines at a later date.

For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log on to www.mosaicfunerals.ca