Conrado Leyson

Conrado "Ruding" Leyson, a beloved figure whose heart beat in harmony with the land, passed away at the age of 93 on October 28, 2024 at 9:35 am in Pasadena, California. He was born on February 5, 1931, in Silang, Cavite, where the gentle sway of palm trees and the sweet aroma of ripe coffee beans would script the joyful verses of his life. Conrado lived as a devoted farmer for more than 40 years, shaping the earth with his hands and nurturing crops of coffee, coconuts, pineapples, and bananas, among others. Nature wasn't merely a backdrop in his life; it was the very canvas upon which he painted his legacy.

In addition to his agrarian prowess, Conrado was a talented painter, known for beautifully rendering sea-faring ships and painting actual houses, capturing moments lost to time. He also held the title of barber, where he wielded scissors with the same care he applied to his gardening, grooming not just hair of his relatives and family but friendships that were as lush as his fields. He graduated high school from Infant Jesus Academy, possessing a wisdom that transcended the classroom walls, perhaps enriched by the days spent under the sun amidst foliage and laughter.

Conrado was a man whose essence was woven with threads of humor, light-heartedness, and generosity. He found delight in the simple pleasures of life, often reminiscing about his love for traditional Filipino foods, from the comforting taste of palabok and biko to the nostalgic savor of vienna sausage, crispy pata, bulalo, daing na biya and lucky me pancit canton with tea.  His culinary passions served as an open invitation for camaraderie, as he loved sharing meals around a table filled with family.

A man of dreams, Conrado realized the aspiration he held close to his heart—a venture to the United States. Though his feet may have wandered, his heart remained tethered to the Philippines, where the laughter of children resonated within him. It was a joy he shared generously, always giving small tokens and birthday cards with money he can afford to everyone, embodying the warmth and thoughtfulness that was so distinctly him.

He leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish his vibrant spirit. This family includes his only son, Randee, and daughter-in-law, Arlene, along with his precious granddaughter, Rheena Pearl as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and their families across the Unites States, other countries and back home in the Philippines.  They are left with a tapestry woven of fond memories—a legacy of a tireless timeless storyteller, and a truly industrious man, who despite his struggles with hearing, filled the world with stories echoing forth like the rustling leaves in his fields. His favorite catch phrases were: “I am not for whom to whom” (Hindi ako kung kani-kanino); “This is my prodigal son”; and “ Love is an ocean of emotions surrounded by expenses”. 

Conrado is now reunited with those who traversed life before him, including his dear late wife, Regina Lejos Amadure Leyson, alongside siblings Natividad Leyson, Concepcion Leyson-Portugal, and brother Remigio Leyson. His parents, Arcadio Desingaño Leyson and Victoria Belardo Benitez Leyson, too, welcome him back into their loving embrace.

His priding heart beat strongest for his son  who ventured forward to become a nurse and doctor—a testament to Conrado's dreams manifesting beyond the soil, resonating through the generations.

As we gather to honor his memory, the family invites everyone to pay tribute to a life truly well lived, a legacy blooming with love and laughter. A visitation will be held on November 22, 2024, from 5 PM until 9 PM at Forest Lawn - Glendale - Church of the Recessional, followed by a funeral service on November 23, 2024, at 9 AM. In remembrance of Conrado, let us celebrate the warmth he brought into our lives, the laughter shared, and the legacy that will continue to flourish in the hearts of those he touched.