Rustico Carpio Santos

Rustico Carpio Santos, 87, born on October 9, 1927 in Bulacan, Bulacan, Philippines, passed away November 6, 2014. He resided in Yorba Linda, California, at the time of his passing.

He is survived by his wife, Elnora Santos Santos and their 4 children - Wilfrido, Emma, Eloisa and Elizabeth. Willie is married to Rizalina Refol and have 3 children - Giselle (married to VJ Velez), Michael and Charmaine. Emma has 5 children - Malou, Elwyn, Techie, Anna and Evelyn. Eloisa (Lui) is married to Robert Talens and has 2 children - Julian and Elise. Elizabeth has not married but has provided unwavering love, care and support to both her parents. Rustico has greatgrandchildren namely Aaron, Alexandra Gabrielle, Andrew, Jumong, Timmy, Timothy and Trinity.

Rustico grew up in the Philippines under the strict guidance of his father, Pedrito Santos and the loving care of his mother, Pilar Carpio. At the young age of 14, he helped the guerilla forces of the Philippines by being the lookout for occupying Japanese soldiers. He, thus, earned the distinction of being a guerilla soldier during World War II and was recognized by the United States by awarding him United States Citizenship with all the accompanying benefits provided. An ongoing story between him and his relatives is that he was only asked to buy vinegar from a corner store (bumili ng suka) and he ended up being a guerilla.

Tatay, as he is fondly called by everybody around him, also learned to play the piano under the regimented tutelage of his father. He learned it so well that he was able to use that training and talent to get work and appreciation and admiration from his peers. He once worked with the famous musical director Dominic Salustiano of the television network fame in the Philippines. He had a musical style all his own and got applauded whenever and wherever he plays. Tatay played musical pieces by memory and is even able to play songs just by listening or "oido".

He faithfully served the Philippine government for 41 years of his life performing several financial functions at the Department of Health, Tondo General Hospital and Medical Center and then retired as Chief Cashier at the National Kidney Institute in 1991. In 1992, he and his wife migrated to the United States to join their daughters Eloisa and Elizabeth. Shortly thereafter, he took oath as a Naturalized Citizen.

Tatay had many ailments, underwent quadruple bypass surgery on his heart and survived numerous trips to the Emergency Rooms of various hospitals. The last surgery he had was for placement of metal support on his hip so he can stand up, because his prostate cancer had spread and affected his upper leg bone and joint. He was a fighter in the war and in his life, but, one of the things he feared most was death. So much so, that he would stay awake nights fearing that he would die in his sleep. Eventually, he passed on peacefully in the daytime, around 2:55 pm, November 6, 2014.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, at 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, California. Viewing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2014, from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm. Interment services and burial will be on Wednesday starting at 9:00 am. Reception follows afterwards at Ten Ten Seafood Restaurant, 17901 Pioneer Blvd., Artesia, CA 90701. It was Tatay's favorite restaurant.