Jessie N. Pardo

Jessie was born and raised in Naic, Cavite, Philippines. He had one older brother, Renato, and two younger sisters, Felicita and Blancaluna. At an early age, the four siblings lost their father, Federico, leaving their mother, Pacita (Nanay), as the sole provider of the family. Being fatherless, being raised in poverty, and seeing his mother struggle to make a living for the family, Jessie grew into a determined person – a man with a desire to help. So at the age of 19 and when America still had military bases in the Philippines, he joined the United States Navy, fully understanding the opportunities it could bring to his family. He would go on to serve the military for the next 22 years of his life. During this time, with the help of his mother, he opened the doors of opportunity for his family, acting as the father figure for his siblings and siblings' children – each and every single one of them. His determination to help not only extended to his family, but to whoever asked him.

After Jessie's retirement from the Navy, he worked briefly with the Department of Defense and then worked as an Immigration Information Officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Bothered by bouts of vertigo and later diagnosed with Meniere's Syndrome, he decided to retire at age 62. The Meniere's Syndrome, however, did not really slow him down. He learned to adjust, cutting back on his salt intake. He pursued other interests when his health condition permitted – cooking, handyman tasks, gardening, traveling. But the one thing he was most passionate about was basketball. Basketball was a passion he always had throughout his whole life. He played basketball, whenever and wherever he could. He shared his basketball expertise with his sons and daughter. Jessie was proud of the fact that despite his age, he was still able to play with them. He would tease them, saying, "I'm the legend."

Legend or not, Jessie was aware of his mortality. When his wife Adele informed him that advanced liver and lung cancer was the cause of his weight loss and fatigue (and not Meniere's Syndrome), he took it calmly, telling her that he was ready when his number was called. He told her that they had a good life together and that he was thankful for how their children (JJ, Nick, Tim, and Olivia) turned out to be. He also told his wife not to worry because "Ang Diyos ang bahala sa atin." (Don't worry, God will take care of us.)

Jessie died peacefully in the hospital with immediate family by his side. He is survived by his wife Adele, children JJ, Nick, Tim, Olivia, Jessie Ray and Alex, the German shepherds Hanul and Meeko, brother Rene, sisters Cita and Baby, sister-in-law Sally, brothers-in-law Popoy and Eli, and nieces and nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces, great grandnieces and great grandnephews.