Nazario Orpilla
OBITUARY Nazario Orpilla, 101, of Vallejo, born on July 27, 1906, in Bauang, Philippines, passed away peacefully at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, after a brief illness. He was one of the last few remaining Filipino pioneers left in Vallejo. As a twenty year old in 1926, Nazario immigrated to America. He came to America aboard the Pacific-Canadian Ocean liner. He first settled in San Francisco where he worked in a carbon battery factory then at a restaurant before moving to Vallejo. Nazario worked at Mare Island Shipyard beginning in 1934 along with his two brothers, Modesto and Clemente. During WWII, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor from 1942 to 1946. He was a Chief Steward 1st Class and served his country honorably. After the war, he returned to Vallejo and his job at Mare Island. He retired in 1973 but never slowed down. He continued being active with his family, community, cooking, fishing and gardening. During his early days in Vallejo, he lived in a boarding house operated by Mary Hullana on Carolina Street. He also became a member of the Legionarios del Trabajo fraternity in 1941 and eventually rose to the rank of Worshipful Master of the Vallejo Lodge No. 620. He was a lifetime member of the Filipino Community of Solano County, Filipino American Catholic Club, La Union Club, American Legion, and the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. He was also a member of St. Basil’s Catholic Church, since 1960, where he served many years as an usher. Up to his death, he never missed a Sunday service. In 1959, Nazario went back to the Philippines and married Ofelia Galvez. He was fifty-two and she was twenty-four. They were married for forty-eight years before his passing. Survivors include his wife Ofelia Orpilla of Vallejo; daughter Luella Orpilla (Derek Wong) of Sacramento; sons Mel Orpilla (Belle) of Vallejo, and Phillip Orpilla (Ila) of Lakewood, CA, and foster daughter, Theresa Balestreri of Vallejo. He had nine grandchildren, Robert “Kaleo” Wilson (Lavella), Tony Orpilla, Jacob Orpilla, Athena Shingu, Elijah Shingu, Isiah Shingu, Chloe Orpilla, Cayla Orpilla, and Ciara Orpilla. He had three great-grandchildren, Kaleo, Kekoa and Nani Wilson. In addition, he leaves behind numerous “adopted” children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, God-children, family and friends. Visitation will be at Colonial Chapels, Vallejo, from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with a Rosary on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at St. Basil’s Catholic Church, Vallejo, on Monday, January 7, at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at All Souls Catholic Cemetery, Vallejo. |
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Hanging out with the Boys
Everlasting love to Ofelia Galvez in
1959.
1959.
Proud to serve his country in 1942
Proud member of the Legionarios
del Trabajo since 1941.
del Trabajo since 1941.
Dad with his wife Ofelia and children, Luella, Mel and Phillip, at his
100th birthday party last year.
100th birthday party last year.
With Uncle Ben, my mom's brother. He was the one who
called 911 after my dad's stroke. Because of his heroic
actions we all got to say goodbye to my dad.
called 911 after my dad's stroke. Because of his heroic
actions we all got to say goodbye to my dad.
Deep sea fishing in Cabo at 96 years old
Mom and Dad with my son Tony.
Dad celebrating his 101st birthday at Max's of Manila, last July.
At 98 years old, my dad was back on Hawaiian soil for the
first time since 1946 when he was discharged from the Navy.
first time since 1946 when he was discharged from the Navy.
Family portrait in 1965, BP (before Phillip).