Wilfredo L. Labayen's Obituary
Wilfredo (Fred/Sonny) Labayen passed away on June 2, 2020 surrounded by his family in Lakewood, Washington State, United States of America at the age of 85. He was popularly known as the Ambassador of Galaxy Theatres Gig Harbor. Picture is of a painting of him by Kim Anderson, used by permission. http://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/local/meet-the-ambassador-of-the-galaxy-ep-420073212-357779311.html
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s memory to the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor and sent to PO Box 342, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. For the Philippines, donation can be deposited to Rotary Club of Parañaque
Current Account No. : BDO 004898010596. Please e-mail [email protected] as remittance advice. The donations to both Gig Harbor and Parañaque Rotary Clubs will be used to fund cleft palate repair in the Philippines. This is a program Fred started in 1979 so it truly honors Fred and his legacy.
Fred was known in the Philippines as an avid golfer and Finance Executive, having established numerous branches and franchises in the nationwide and abroad.
He was an exemplary member of Rotary Club Parañaque, Philippines as Past President and Gig Harbor, Washington, USA as a Paul Harris Fellow.
His body lays in repose at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, WA.
Chapel Service is on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 3:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time PDT (UTC-7) and will be streamed online (link to follow). For other time zones:
• Mountain Daylight Time MDT (UTC-6) Friday, June 12, 2020 at 4:00 PM
• Central Daylight Time CDT (UTC-5) Friday, June 12, 2020 at 5:00 PM
• Eastern Daylight Time EDT (UTC-4) Friday, June 12, 2020 at 6:00 PM
• Central European Time CET (UTC+2) Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 12:00 AM
• Philippine Time PHT (UTC+8) Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 6:00 AM
• Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 7:00 AM
He is survived by his wife Rose Jocelyn, Finance Executive, currently rehabilitating from stroke, and five children:
• Eldest son Louie Anthony, Lay Carmelite Minister, Creative and Data Professional, father of two.
• Edward John, married to María Victoria Antonio, father of one.
• Rose Jocelyn Marie, home educator, married to Timothy Rosemeier, mother of five.
• Maria Victoria, married to Chris Cargado.
• Patricia Marie.
Born on October 12, 1934 the sixth of nine children, in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, he was preceded by his parents, one sister and seven brothers, now all deceased.
• Father Julio Díaz Labayen established for Diaz Electric Co the first three electric plants in Negros Occidental.
• Mother Mercedes Alunan Lizares Labayen raised nine children and was famous for her cooking which supported the family through World War II.
• Eldest son Eduardo, Certified Public Accountant, Dean of the College of Commerce at University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, married to Angelina Severino and father of twelve.
• Maria Cristeta, married to Jose L Abello and mother of two, was volunteer worker at Scala Retreat House.
• Julio Xavier, Carmelite Bishop of the Prelature of Infanta and leading proponent of the Church of the Poor.
• Rodolfo, Mechanical Engineer for Victorias [Sugar] Milling Co. Negros Occidental married to Teresita Sampiano and father of six.
• Patricio Enrique, Obstetrician and Anesthesiologist, married to Celine Ledesma and father of six.
• Himself, Wilfredo, Finance Executive, married to Rose Jócelyn Ocampo López and father of five.
• Norberto, Professional Basketball Player and Entrepreneur, married to Teresita Jalbuena and father of five.
• Octavio, Entrepreneur, married to Ma. Melania Amistoso and father of three.
• Antonio, Entrepreneur, married to Joan Montebón.
On his spouse’s side are:
• Father-in-law Rodolfo López, deceased, farm owner
• Mother-in-law Lilia Ocampo López, deceased, homemaker and mother of eleven children
• Eldest son Oscar, deceased, Entrepreneur, married to Ruby Braganza and father of six
• Wife Rose Jocelyn, Financial Executive and mother of five.
• Carlos, deceased at infancy
• Evelyn, deceased, graduate of Philosophy and Letters.
• Marilou, deceased, Chemical Engineer, Computer Scientist, married to Deogracias Tantay, Chemical Engineer, mother of two.
• Elenita, Computer Scientist, married to Romeo Navarro, deceased, Entrepreneur, mother of four.
• Albert, Finance Executive, married to Amelia Baldovino, past Nursing Administrator, Philippine Heart Center for Asia, father of three.
• Melvyn Patrick, deceased, Creative Arts, IT Professional, married to Athena Santos Magcase, Artist, father of three.
• Edwin Marthine, Entrepreneur, married to Manjette Manalo, father of three.
• Christine, Banking Executive, married to Eduardo Arguelles, Architect, mother of three.
• Elizabeth, Hospitality Professional, married to Victor Norulak, Railroad Conductor.
The service that was held June 12th at Mt. View Funeral Home is available to view online. Please click on the following link: https://bit.ly/2BiR19k
In addition to the service link, here is a link to the funeral liturgy to follow during the service: https://bit.ly/2Uvqxsc
Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Fr. Paul Brunet, pastor of our parish St. Frances Cabrini, celebrated a Mass for the Dead.
Thursday, June 4, 2020, Fr. Francis Lucas of the Prelature of Infanta, celebrated a Mass for the Dead over Spirit 97.2 FM.
Friday, June 5, 2020, at Mountain View Funeral Home viewing room, we held a private Funeral Rite and Rite of Committal to Cremation in the presence of the body of the deceased, an important Catholic rite.
Saturday, June 6, 2020, Fr. Andrés Querijero, OCD offered intentions at the Saturday Vigil Mass at his parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fort Bragg, California.
A Mass with cremated remains was held, Thursday, June 11th at St Vincent de Paul Parish in Federal Way, Washington by Fr. William McKee.
A novena in supplication after his death concluded, Thursday, June 11th and was attended daily by family members from the Philippines and the United States on Facebook Messenger.
Cremated remains will be carried to the Philippines at a future date, possibly April 2021 around the same time for the 5th Death Anniversary of Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD, DD. For those in the Philippines, please stay tuned to the various scheduled Vigil Services there next year, the Funeral Mass, Committal and Final Commendation at Magallanes Church.
The obituary was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tacoma News Tribune, and Peninsula Gateway, all referring to this online obituary at Mountain View Funeral Home, which will be retained indefinitely.
Here is the link to the Eulogy delivered by eldest son and Lay Carmelite Minister Antonio Labayen at the Chapel Vigil Service on June 12, 2020: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gVIsw75ScWPpZgp5MwYCvhQUCSRDwQ_nY28RsgVo30o/edit?usp=sharing
What’s your fondest memory of Wilfredo?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wilfredo?
Share a story where Wilfredo's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wilfredo you’ll never forget.
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