Douglas Edward Cesar

Born September 30, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, Douglas was the first of nine children born to the late Mary and Bruno Cesar. Doug grew up in Toms River, New Jersey, with his 8 younger brothers and sisters. He graduated from Toms River High School in 1962, lettering in baseball.

Doug moved to San Diego in 1963 and attended City College while working as a forklift mechanic and raising his young family. In 1971, he started his own business, DECA Forklift, Inc., which he was proud to pass along to his daughter, Denise, and her husband when he retired in 2013. Together since 1987, Doug married his wife, June, in 2002.

Doug volunteered as a Vista La Mesa Little League coach during the 1970s when his children were young. He also sponsored and played on many Lemon Grove Softball League teams. A long-time Padres season ticket holder, Doug and June travelled to New York City in 1998 to watch the Padres play in the World Series.

An avid golfer, Doug enjoyed San Diego area golf courses with his friends, son and sons-in-law. Doug loved to read the newspaper, travel, and spend time with his family and friends, delighting especially in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was proud of his Filipino and Native American heritage and enjoyed cooking traditional Filipino dishes taught to him by his father. Doug also loved to enjoy a good meal with family, friends and business associates at many San Diego restaurants.

After being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2008, Doug still lived an active, vibrant and rich life enjoying the things he held dear. Doug passed away suddenly at home on October 15, 2015, with his beloved wife, June, by his side. He is survived by June and his children, Denise Huelsbeck (Mike), Christine Cesar, Mark Cesar (Shan), Stacey Edwards (Forrest) and Kimberly Huddleston (Brian). He was a beloved grandfather to Andrew Metzgus, Jessa Carter, Delaney Edwards, and Cooper and Finnian Treacy, and great-grandfather to Oaklee, Bentley and Gannon Carter.

Doug is also survived by his siblings Palma (Pam) Hooper, Denise Flemming, Michele Turner, Evon Cesar, Kamala Buckner, Andrea Cesar, Bruce Cesar, John Cesar, several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may pay their respects from 4-7p.m. on Wednesday, October 21 at Conrad Mortuary, 7387 Broadway, Lemon Grove. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, October 22 at St. John of the Cross, 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution made in Douglas' name to either the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the American Heart Association.