Obituary for Roman Garcia Suniga
Roman Garcia Suniga
August 24, 1939 – May 2, 2023
Roman “Romy” Garcia Suniga, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, MB with Ofelia “Fely”, his loving wife of 53 years, by his side. Outstanding husband, father, uncle, ninong, co-worker, and friend, Roman deeply loved and cared generously for everyone in his life. He is forever loved by his family and friends, and so many who knew him.
Visitation/Lamay will take place on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 6:00 pm – 12:00 am at Mosaic Funeral Chapel and Reception Centre (1839 Inkster Blvd.); prayers will begin at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church (748 Keewatin St.), with Interment immediately following at Assumption Cemetery (3990 Portage Ave.) In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and/or to Riverview Health Centre.
Roman was born in Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines on August 24, 1939, the second youngest and the oldest brother of four siblings. He graduated high school from Philippine Harvardian College in Manila in 1962. After high school, he earned a diploma in Television Mechanics from Panggabing Paaralang Panghanapbuhay Ng Torres (1966). At a college dance social, Roman met the love of his life, Ofelia, by chance through mutual friends. They began a long courtship and married in June 1969 at Santa Teresita Church in Manila. A year later, their first child, Maria-Teresa (“Maria” or “Tess”) was born in Manila, and their second child, Rosemarie (“Ros”), was born nine years later in Winnipeg.
Seeking ways to support his and Ofelia’s growing family, Roman first worked overseas throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s as a civilian worker for the U.S. Navy, repairing naval navigational equipment at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility in Guam. Roman was a hard worker who took pride in doing a good job in his work. He recounted vivid memories of climbing up tall structures on big naval ships to (and, with good humor, admitting to being scared of heights), and remembering how he and his fellow Filipino coworkers would buy meats and other food from the commissary, bring it to a local beach and share a meal together at the end of a long work week. In 1970 the U.S. Naval Ship awarded Roman with a certificate for “zero defects” in his repair work. He received this certificate with pride and proudly displayed it in the family home. Later, Roman and Ofelia made the decision to immigrate to Winnipeg. Ofelia arrived first in 1973 to work at Silpit Industries as a seamstress, while Roman stayed in Manila with Maria. Continuing his education, he enrolled in Aerotronics Technical Institute and earned a diploma in Avionics (1972), and Samson Technical School and earned a diploma in Commercial Radio Telephone Operator (1975). Roman and Maria joined Ofelia in Winnipeg in 1977. Shortly after, he was hired by Unisys (then called the Burroughs Corporation) to assemble main frame computers. He made good friends amongst many of his coworkers and worked alongside them for years until the plant closed in 1999. As always, Roman took pride in doing a good job in his work. When Unisys awarded Roman a wall clock for his long service to the company, he proudly displayed it in the family home alongside his certificate from the U.S. Naval Ship Repair facility and his diplomas.
Roman was a devoted and fiercely supportive husband and father. Roman would spend his free time with Ofelia making home improvements, or out driving his daughters to and from lessons and school. His family would always look forward to when he would make his famous fried chicken or his barbecue that took hours of marinading the night before. Roman liked looking stylish and encouraged his daughters to develop their own individual style. He was witness to his daughters evolving (and sometimes hilarious choices of) hair cuts, perms, hair colors, and clothing choices throughout the years. He shared with his family his love of music (especially anything with a good beat), a love of dancing, a love of humor, and his belief in bettering oneself through education. He was a regular fixture at his daughters’ music recitals, music competitions, graduations, and virtually any activity they were involved in. Roman would be there, and nearly every family event, with a camera and camcorder, recording everything. He was especially proud of his family’s hard work in pursuit of education. The certificates and diplomas earned by Ofelia, Maria and Rosemarie were lovingly framed and displayed with pride alongside his certificates on the walls of the family home.
Throughout his life, Roman always gave the best of himself in anything he did and most freely to the people he loved. While Alzheimer’s disease took so much from Roman in his final years, it failed to take away his ability to feel and share immense love, the very best thing about Roman that motivated everything he did and defined exactly who he was. To the very end, Roman was surrounded by love and left this world giving love.
Roman is predeceased by his parents Gaudencio Velasquez Suniga and Efifaña Cortes Garcia, parents-in-law Simeon Domingo Pablo and Aurita Arkoncel Pablo, sister Celestina “Tina” (Mauro) Sanguyo, a second older sister who passed in childhood, sisters-in-law Evelyn (Jimmy) Deleña and Prenida “Pring” Albis, brother Processo “Pering” (Dorothea) Suniga, brothers-in-law Jimmy Deleña, Manuel Isaguirre, and Edward Smith, and nephews Luciano “Longching” (Fe) Sanguyo, and Processo “Din Din” Suniga.
Roman is survived by wife Ofelia Suniga (nee Pablo), daughters Maria-Teresa (Michael) Slemko and Rosemarie Suniga, sister Carmelita “Mely” (Manuel) Isaguirre, sisters-in-law Carolyn Pablo, Filipina “Piping” (Mario) De La Cruz, and Julita (Edwin) Lagunera, brother-in-law Alex (Auring) Pablo, nieces Sharon Smith, Katrina Albis, and Monique, Michelle, and Marfel De La Cruz, nephews Monching Albis, Jon Jon Deleña, Matthew (Lan) and Nathan Lagunera, and numerous other family members and cherished friends.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to Suzanne Rutledge, Angela Westsman, Dr. Mariele Gawryluk and the staff of B1 wing at Riverview Health Centre for the outstanding support and care provided to Roman in his later years. We especially wish to acknowledge nurses Helen, Jaime, Charito, Karen, and Novlette (therapeutic recreation facilitator) for their exceptional kindness and comfort they gave to Roman and to us. Words cannot express our immense gratitude for all of you.
August 24, 1939 – May 2, 2023
Roman “Romy” Garcia Suniga, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, MB with Ofelia “Fely”, his loving wife of 53 years, by his side. Outstanding husband, father, uncle, ninong, co-worker, and friend, Roman deeply loved and cared generously for everyone in his life. He is forever loved by his family and friends, and so many who knew him.
Visitation/Lamay will take place on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 6:00 pm – 12:00 am at Mosaic Funeral Chapel and Reception Centre (1839 Inkster Blvd.); prayers will begin at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church (748 Keewatin St.), with Interment immediately following at Assumption Cemetery (3990 Portage Ave.) In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and/or to Riverview Health Centre.
Roman was born in Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines on August 24, 1939, the second youngest and the oldest brother of four siblings. He graduated high school from Philippine Harvardian College in Manila in 1962. After high school, he earned a diploma in Television Mechanics from Panggabing Paaralang Panghanapbuhay Ng Torres (1966). At a college dance social, Roman met the love of his life, Ofelia, by chance through mutual friends. They began a long courtship and married in June 1969 at Santa Teresita Church in Manila. A year later, their first child, Maria-Teresa (“Maria” or “Tess”) was born in Manila, and their second child, Rosemarie (“Ros”), was born nine years later in Winnipeg.
Seeking ways to support his and Ofelia’s growing family, Roman first worked overseas throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s as a civilian worker for the U.S. Navy, repairing naval navigational equipment at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility in Guam. Roman was a hard worker who took pride in doing a good job in his work. He recounted vivid memories of climbing up tall structures on big naval ships to (and, with good humor, admitting to being scared of heights), and remembering how he and his fellow Filipino coworkers would buy meats and other food from the commissary, bring it to a local beach and share a meal together at the end of a long work week. In 1970 the U.S. Naval Ship awarded Roman with a certificate for “zero defects” in his repair work. He received this certificate with pride and proudly displayed it in the family home. Later, Roman and Ofelia made the decision to immigrate to Winnipeg. Ofelia arrived first in 1973 to work at Silpit Industries as a seamstress, while Roman stayed in Manila with Maria. Continuing his education, he enrolled in Aerotronics Technical Institute and earned a diploma in Avionics (1972), and Samson Technical School and earned a diploma in Commercial Radio Telephone Operator (1975). Roman and Maria joined Ofelia in Winnipeg in 1977. Shortly after, he was hired by Unisys (then called the Burroughs Corporation) to assemble main frame computers. He made good friends amongst many of his coworkers and worked alongside them for years until the plant closed in 1999. As always, Roman took pride in doing a good job in his work. When Unisys awarded Roman a wall clock for his long service to the company, he proudly displayed it in the family home alongside his certificate from the U.S. Naval Ship Repair facility and his diplomas.
Roman was a devoted and fiercely supportive husband and father. Roman would spend his free time with Ofelia making home improvements, or out driving his daughters to and from lessons and school. His family would always look forward to when he would make his famous fried chicken or his barbecue that took hours of marinading the night before. Roman liked looking stylish and encouraged his daughters to develop their own individual style. He was witness to his daughters evolving (and sometimes hilarious choices of) hair cuts, perms, hair colors, and clothing choices throughout the years. He shared with his family his love of music (especially anything with a good beat), a love of dancing, a love of humor, and his belief in bettering oneself through education. He was a regular fixture at his daughters’ music recitals, music competitions, graduations, and virtually any activity they were involved in. Roman would be there, and nearly every family event, with a camera and camcorder, recording everything. He was especially proud of his family’s hard work in pursuit of education. The certificates and diplomas earned by Ofelia, Maria and Rosemarie were lovingly framed and displayed with pride alongside his certificates on the walls of the family home.
Throughout his life, Roman always gave the best of himself in anything he did and most freely to the people he loved. While Alzheimer’s disease took so much from Roman in his final years, it failed to take away his ability to feel and share immense love, the very best thing about Roman that motivated everything he did and defined exactly who he was. To the very end, Roman was surrounded by love and left this world giving love.
Roman is predeceased by his parents Gaudencio Velasquez Suniga and Efifaña Cortes Garcia, parents-in-law Simeon Domingo Pablo and Aurita Arkoncel Pablo, sister Celestina “Tina” (Mauro) Sanguyo, a second older sister who passed in childhood, sisters-in-law Evelyn (Jimmy) Deleña and Prenida “Pring” Albis, brother Processo “Pering” (Dorothea) Suniga, brothers-in-law Jimmy Deleña, Manuel Isaguirre, and Edward Smith, and nephews Luciano “Longching” (Fe) Sanguyo, and Processo “Din Din” Suniga.
Roman is survived by wife Ofelia Suniga (nee Pablo), daughters Maria-Teresa (Michael) Slemko and Rosemarie Suniga, sister Carmelita “Mely” (Manuel) Isaguirre, sisters-in-law Carolyn Pablo, Filipina “Piping” (Mario) De La Cruz, and Julita (Edwin) Lagunera, brother-in-law Alex (Auring) Pablo, nieces Sharon Smith, Katrina Albis, and Monique, Michelle, and Marfel De La Cruz, nephews Monching Albis, Jon Jon Deleña, Matthew (Lan) and Nathan Lagunera, and numerous other family members and cherished friends.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to Suzanne Rutledge, Angela Westsman, Dr. Mariele Gawryluk and the staff of B1 wing at Riverview Health Centre for the outstanding support and care provided to Roman in his later years. We especially wish to acknowledge nurses Helen, Jaime, Charito, Karen, and Novlette (therapeutic recreation facilitator) for their exceptional kindness and comfort they gave to Roman and to us. Words cannot express our immense gratitude for all of you.