Valente Ilano Dela Cruz's Obituary
Valente Ilano Dela Cruz May 21, 1917 – August 21, 2013Valente “Benteng” Ilano Dela Cruz was born on May 21st, 1917 in Imus, Cavite, Philippines to Pedro Mallari Dela Cruz and Honorata Ilano. He was the youngest child of a large family. When his father became ill, Valente took sole care of him and treasured his sick father until his death.Early in his career, Valente served as a policeman prior to joining the U.S. Army in 1946. Valente worked very hard as he was the only provider in the family. Through the help of his late cousin Hilaria Dela Cruz, he got a permanent construction job in Guam in 1966 to support his family back home in the Philippines. He moved to San Francisco, California in 1975 to be reunited with most of his family.Valente met his love, Donaila Octavo Arroyo, through a game of Ping-Pong. He was happily married and devoted to Donaila for 40 years. He was also a devoted father to his son Jesse and 6 daughters Lillian, Evelyn, Alicia, Marilou, Rosemarie, and Mimi.Valente was a devout Catholic and would take his children to Sunday Mass. He was a strict disciplinarian to his seven children. A simple whistle would bring all his children back home for supper.Valente enjoyed cooking, singing, gardening, exercising, traveling, ballroom dancing, playing cards, and most of all being around loved ones during family gatherings. He brought joy and laughter to those whose lives he touched.Valente Ilano Dela Cruz entered peacefully into rest on Wednesday, August, 21st, 2013 at the residence of his son-in-law Bert and daughter Alicia. Bert and Alicia were very devoted to Valente and cared for him before and during his illness.Valente was a beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and role model to his family. He is survived by 7 children, 20 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, August 29th from 1:00 – 5:00 p. m. at Skylawn Funeral Home, Lifemark Road, Highway 92 at Route 35, Half Moon Bay, California. On Friday, August 30th, an 11:00 a. m. Mass of Resurrection will be held at Skylawn’s Crystal Springs Chapel. He will be laid to rest at Skylawn Memorial Park.A funeral reception immediately follows at Beijing Buffet 245 South Airport Boulevard, South San Francisco, California.
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