Tomas Celso Celino

Tomas Celso Celino, 85, born on May 23, 1928, in the Philippines, passed away November 3, 2013. He resided in Upland, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Covina, California.
Tomas Celso Celino was born May 23,1928 in Arnedo, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines to Rosendo and Teodora Celino. He had two brothers and a sister who all preceded him in death.

At young age he left and moved to Manila to live with relatives. While attending Del Monte High school, he met Concordia and had been together since then. He was in his second year of college pursuing a Commerce degree when he decided to enlist for the Philippine Navy.

On May 1,1954 they decided to get married @ the V. Luna Hospital Post Chapel. Lived with the Ranches family until their firstborn Teodora Agnes. Moved back to San Francisco Del Monte area Quezon City where other children Janet, Joel and Ariel were born in the span of 7 years.

He retired from the Phil Navy after 20 years as Chief Petty Officer. With his desire to continue to support his family and the college education of his children, went to Jubail, Saudi Arabia to work with Satco for 10 years. In 1989, they immigrated to the United States and lived in Sacramento for 10 years. This time, not ready to retire even yet, worked 2 jobs with Mc Donald's and Arco AM PM for another 10 years.

In 1999, they decided to move to Chino Hills to be with the younger grandchildren. In 2006 they moved in at Sycamore Terrace in Upland and met new friends of their age.

Tatay's daily routine included jogging/walking before holy mass at St Joseph's Church with Nanay. They will be home to watch "Price is Right" before his morning nap. Afternoons were spent by their playing cards for hours or calling out numbers for the residents' Bingo games on Fridays and Saturdays. Before dinner, Tatay goes for another lap of jogging/walking so they can watch "Jeopardy' and " Wheel of Fortune" before retiring for the evening. Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings were spent driving to church with Nanay and sometimes with other friends in tow.

On that fateful evening of August 24, 2013 driving to Upland to show his youngest son and wife their apartment, they got into a car accident. He spent his two weeks at the ICU in Chino Valley Hospital and later was transferred to Kindred Ontario Hospital. Tatay went peacefully to meet his Creator and be freed of sufferings on November 3, 2013.

Surviving him is his loving wife of 59 ½ years, Cording, children Agnes and Johnnie Pugh, Janet and Darlito Gacuya Sr, General Joel and Maria Aurora Celino and Ariel and Cynthia Celino; grandchildren John Thomas, Nadia May, Cyrel Joseph, John Maurice, Johanna Crystal, Aaron Cedric, Andrew, Isabella and Alexandra; dear friends and other family members.