Levy Torres Centeno

Levy Torres Centeno passed away peacefully at his home in Cerritos, California on June 7, 2014 at the age of 75. He was preceded in death by his parents Lorenzo and Eusebia Centeno, his brothers Deogracias and Benjamin, and first wife Pelilia Juliano Centeno. Born in San Juan, Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines on May 4, 1939, Levy was raised with four brothers: Zotico, Deogracias, Benjamin and Benedicto, and one sister Rita. While studying to earn his doctor of veterinary medicine degree at the University of the Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine, he co-founded Venerable Knight Veterinarians fraternity. There, he met many of his lifelong friends.

He met Pelilia "Flora" Juliano and wed in 1967 and they were married for 33 years until her passing. Levy and Flora's first two sons, Zoilo and Arnold, were born in the Philippines. In 1969, Levy immigrated on his own to the U.S. to pave the way for his young family. Flora followed him a year later and then the two boys. They first lived in Norwalk, California and then soon after, Gail and Mary Ann were born and later Jayne. Levy's first job was with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Riverside and then he opened Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Montclair. Levy and Flora eventually settled in Cerritos where their children spent their formative years.

Eventually Levy and Flora purchased and ran his veterinary business, A Acacia Animal Hospital, in Cypress until his retirement in 2005. As a veterinarian, Levy cared for and saved the lives of many animals and enjoyed having several of his own pets including dogs, cats, chickens, a turtle, fish, a rabbit and many more. It was not uncommon for Levy to bring home new pets he had saved from death, two of which were three-legged dogs. One of Levy's favorite pastimes was watching the horse races at Los Alamitos Race Course on Sundays.

Another special hobby he enjoyed was ballroom dancing. He competed in many dance competitions with Flora and after her passing in 2000, found a new dance partner, Edita Pumaren. Levy and Edita married in 2003 with his children and grandchildren at his side. Levy and Edita enjoyed traveling together, especially by cruise ship. Some of their favorite and most memorable vacations were spent cruising the Baltic Sea with a stop in Russia, visiting the Philippine islands, Spain, Cancun, the Holy Land, and so many other places.

Levy was a man with few words and a big heart. He enjoyed spending time with family, friends and loved to watch his 12 grandchildren play together. Levy will be dearly missed by his wife Edita, Zoilo and Melissa Centeno of Huntington Beach, Arnold and Lisa Centeno of Chino Hills, Gail and Julie Centeno of Buena Park, Mary Ann and Jeff Klubeck of San Diego, and Jayne and Tom Kelly of Las Vegas, Nevada. He will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren: Emma, Noah, Alexa, Maya, AJ, Ella, Zachary, Nathan, Abigail, Dylan, Riley and Brody.