Candido (Don) Pascua Agatep

Candido (Don) P. Agatep, 95, of Pasadena, California, peacefully passed away on September 14, 2022.

He was born to parents Ceferino and Cipriana Agatep on October 23, 1926 in Abulug, Philippines. Candido's childhood was punctuated by frailty, but he was eager to learn and explore the world beyond his small, oceanside town.

Candido's life was the classic immigrant story. He married Aurora Oropilla, the love of his life, in 1955 and made the tough decision to leave the Philippines five months later to seek additional opportunities in the United States. Over the next two difficult years, Candido worked tirelessly in construction and farming to earn money to bring Aurora to America. Joined by Aurora in 1957, Candido fulfilled a lifelong dream of pursuing higher education at USC, receiving a Master in Biological Sciences and discovering a new species of Antarctica sea cucumber (https://doi.org/10.1029/AR011p0049).

After graduation from USC, he taught elementary biology for Temple City Unified School District at Emperor Elementary School—preferring to teach younger students, and noting their openness to learning.

While studying at USC, Candido worked at a downtown Los Angeles hotel and impressed Barney Meskin, who later hired and mentored Candido and gave Candido his nickname "Don." Using this knowledge of the intricacies of real estate and business management, Don embarked on a new dream: owning properties in Southern California and the Philippines and helping the less fortunate. Don established a foundation and built a library to educate the poor in his rural hometown. Remembering the kindness of those who helped him when he arrived in the United States, his tenants knew that they would receive assistance if they fell on hard times.

It is impossible to remember Don without thinking of the beautifully landscaped gardens he created at his home in Pasadena. His favorite flowers were roses and orchids. Roses reminded him of his time as a struggling and hungry immigrant, counting the USC blossoms when he had nothing to eat. Orchids reminded him of the forest jungles near Abulug where he and his siblings would hide during World War II.

Don is survived by his wife Aurora, daughter Angeli (spouse Malcolm), sons Clarence (spouse Grace) and Arthur (partner Claire); and grandchildren Zoe, Bowen, Mason, Quinn, Phillip, and Elisa. Candido was predeceased by his son Patrick and mentor Barney Meskin.

A gathering will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022, 9:30 a.m., at Wee Kirk o' the Heather Forest Lawn Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. Internment to follow at Ascension, Ground Companion, 253, 4A.

To honor Don's kindness and generosity, the family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts, to please donate to a charity that helps those in need.