Crisanto Saranillas Vergara

Crisanto S. Vergara, Sr., 94, passed away peacefully Friday, January 11, 2013 at 7:38 p.m. surrounded by loved ones in Providence Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills, California, after six-month stay at the Department of Veterans Affairs Sepulveda Community Living Center.

He was born October 25, 1918 in Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines, the second of the six children of Tomas and Dominga Vergara. His siblings were Ruperta Vergara Esposo, Primitiva Vergara Tacmo, Florentina Vergara, Cristeta Vergara Gamba and Narciso Vergara. He was the last to survive of the siblings.

Prior to his enlistment, he worked on the family's small, one –hectare farm in Moncada. Although poor by U.S. standards, he was well-known and liked by his community.

In World War II, he was in active service since August 1941 to May 1946. He was a combat medic who was held a prisoner of war by the Japanese regime. He survived the Bataan Death March.

He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting at the University of the East.

His second eldest son, Artemio, petitioned him and his wife, Benita. They immigrated to the United States in 1983.

He had six children: Crisanto P. Vergara, Jr., Artemio P. Vergara, Amado P. Vergara (deceased), Victoria "Vicky" Irene P. Vergara (deceased), Romualdo P. Vergara and Senen Vergara Brunotte.

He left five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed.