Alejandro Labrador's Obituary
Alejandro (Alex) Labrador, a retired businessman who immigrated from Philippines, fought for the U.S. in the Korean War and raised seven children in Foster City, died peacefully on June 23rd. He was 91 years old.
Born in Manila on July 5, 1930, Alex was one of seven siblings. His father, Gregorio Almario Labrador, owned an import-export company that shipped goods between the Philippines and Hawaii. His mother, Benita (Mendoza) de Labrador, was a chemist and ran several businesses. World War II caused the Labrador family to be separated on different continents. Gregorio was on Oahu running the family business when the bombing of Pearl Harbor took place. During this time, Benita kept her children safe in Manilla from the occupying Japanese army. Alex and his younger brother Ben loved playing pranks and getting in trouble with the Japanese soldiers. After the war, the Labrador family reunited in Oahu, Hawaii, which became their main residence.
In the early 50’s, Alex served honorably in the US Army during the Korean conflict. Alex initially attended the University of Hawaii, then graduated from University of San Francisco (USF). He played soccer at USF, where he met his wife Nancy (Agustin). During their courtship, Alex briefly worked in an Alaskan cannery to save enough money to buy the engagement ring. After marrying in San Francisco and having their first two children, they moved to Manoa, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Alex’s father was terminally ill, so he re-located back to the family’s large house, affectionately known as “The Big House.
While living in Manoa, Alex and Nancy had four more children. They had an idyllic life, spending time with Labrador uncles, aunts and cousins. The Big House was the setting for many large family gatherings. Surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku was a frequent guest. Labrador cousins ran and played barefoot on the sprawling lawn, which had a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head and Waikiki. During this time Alex was employed by San Miguel Beer. In 1969 he transferred to San Francisco to expand sales on the mainland. Alex and Nancy moved their six children and decided to settle in Foster City because the lagoons and beautiful surroundings reminded them of Hawaii Kai. After settling in Foster City, Nancy had their seventh child.
Alex helped create the Foster City Filipino American Association. He was also one of the “founding fathers” of the town's AYSO soccer club. Alex developed many of the referee programs and training programs that made the Foster City program a showpiece for the other soccer regions in the area. His training programs were copied by many regions and may still be in use today. Soccer became a focal point of the Labrador Family. Many of Alex’s children played and several of his grandchildren continued the tradition.
In 1985, Nancy died of lung cancer. After her death, Alex found love again with his partner of 36 years, Minda Malcalma. Alex and Minda shared a love of golf, Filipino food and yearly trips to the Philippines.
When Alex was not playing golf or traveling to the Philippines, he enjoyed trips to Costco and charming the employees giving out samples. His pride and love for his grandchildren defined his later years. Cheering them on at soccer and basketball games and daring them to try Filipino delicacies. Nothing brought him more joy then having his entire family around him. During his final year, all of his children and grandchildren joined him for a vacation in Hawaii. He was able to share his favorite spots from is youth with the next generation of Labradors. Most importantly, they ran barefoot on the beautiful lawn of the Big House.
Alex is the last of his generation. He was proceeded in death by his six siblings: Joe, Serafin, Nene, Flora, Priscilla (Baby) and Ben, his wife Nancy and his eldest son Alejandro (Andro) Labrador. He is survived by six children: Angeli Labrador of Foster City, Victoria (Arianne) Labrador of Dublin, Arthur Labrador of San Jose, Richard Labrador of Laguna Niguel, Robert Labrador of Evergreen, CO, and Alexanne (Marie) Labrador of Foster City.
Alex is also survived by his loving companion Minda Malcalma, daughter in law Elizabeth Labrador, son in law Larry Bates, his seven grandchildren: Alessandra, Sarah, Mahea, Owen, Helen, Nancy and Aidan Labrador, extended family members Adrienne Whitten, Stephen DeVaughn, Chris Egan and Loretta Vella and many cousins, nieces and nephews both in the United States and in the Philippines.
Services will be held at SkyLawn Memorial Park in San Mateo on Friday July 08, 2022, 1:00 pm viewing, 2:00 pm funeral services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Matthews Catholic Church in San Mateo where Alex was a long-time parishioner. To make a donation online visit: https://www.stmatthew-parish.org/giving or mail a check to St. Matthew’s Parish, One Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
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