Efren Soriano Carreon

It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of Efren S. Carreon on the 28th of November, 2020. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and cousin to many family members.


Efren was born on July 10,1947 in Oton, Ilo-ilo, Philippines to Fidel and Pacita Carreon. His father, Fidel, who served as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) during WWII, passed away when Efren was only 3 years old. Pacita migrated the family to Ilo-ilo city where she met her second husband, Ong Tin Chuan, and together they opened up a small grocery store where Efren assisted by selling bananas in the market. Along with his siblings, they attended Ilo-ilo Chiang Kai-shek School where they learned to be fluent in Mandarin. In 1962, Efren's step-father died of cancer and the family then migrated to Manila.


In 1970, he attended FEATI University to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering while helping to raise his seven siblings. In 1972, during a time when the Philippines experienced political turmoil, a series of events would greatly influence Efren to be passionately involved with student activism. He joined a movement for justice and democracy against Marcos' authoritarianism. He admired French philosopher, Voltaire, after whom he named his first- born son. Voltaire's famous quote of "I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it'' is what fueled and empowered Efren's commitment to human rights and to fight for a more democratic government.


Efren had a colorful career characterized by his perseverance and hard work. At a young age, he worked as a line technician at utility company Ilo-ilo Electric Cooperative. He was also employed by an overseas employment agency dedicated to help Filipinos find jobs abroad. Focused on getting a federal job as a way to continue making a difference in society, he was employed by the Bureau of Customs in 1981. As a Customs Inspector, he was tasked to board and inspect each plane landing and leaving the Manila International Airport for illegal contrabands. He was proud of the job he was doing since it curbed the flow of smuggled items to and from the country and his hard work and dedication to his role eventually garnered high recognition from his immediate supervisor and fellow co-workers.


After almost a decade in Customs, he migrated to the US in 1990. While studying to become a nurse during the day, he worked as a security guard in the evening. Upon receiving his Associate Degree in Nursing, he was employed in various hospitals in Riverside. Determined to be his own boss, together with Meldy, his wife of 25 years, they opened a home health care business, The Good Samaritan Nursing Home, which also fulfills their need to be of service to those in need of care.


Kindness has always been an ingrained character trait of Efren. Being raised by a deeply religious mother, he kept bible hymns close to heart such as "How Great Thou Art". Efren was also known to dominate the microphone during karaoke sessions, singing various songs from his favorite artists, Engelbert Humperdink and John Denver. He enjoyed cooking for the family during small family gatherings especially during the holidays. He prepared huge meals consisting of barbeque, arroz valenciana, pancit molo and desserts that could easily have fed a large group when in reality it was just a few people. Digol (as family and friends affectionately called him) was fond of taking trips and especially loved long road trips as a means to spend quality time with his family. Digol was also an avid Lakers fan and was happy they won the NBA championship this year.


He retired in 2014 to devote more time managing The Good Samaritan. It also allowed him and Meldy to visit the Philippines more frequently and to enjoy spending time with his grandchildren.


We want to remember Efren as a strong and loving man, who had overcome many adversities in life and, in his own soft-spoken way, made each of us feel special and loved. Although we wished we had more time with him, we are comforted to know that he is no longer in pain.


Efren is survived by his loving wife Meldy, and their son, Ephraim; his children, Voltaire and Esther, with former wife, Dolores; his step-children, Wendell and Michelle along with his grandchildren, Vincent, Audrey, Quinn and Evan. He is also survived by his siblings, Teresita, Edna, Elna, Noel, Elmo, Junie, Boyet, and many more family members and close friends from Ilo-ilo, Manila, Europe and the US.



Funeral services will be promptly held at Forest Lawn located at 21300 Via Verde St, Covina Hills on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 from 2:00-3:30pm in the Meditation Gardens (Location is just past main entrance gates on the right side). In consideration of Covid-19, services will be conducted outdoors and masks will be required to attend.

Cremation rites will be held for the immediate family the following day, December 17, 2020 at 10:30am in Glendale Forest Lawn.

A private interment service will be held for the immediate family on December 18, 2020 at 2:30pm at the Columbarium of Eternal Love in Covina Hills Forest Lawn.