Jovito "Jojo" Nad Jr.

Jovito T. Nad, Jr., “Jojo”, was born on April 30,1963 in Manila, Philippines to Jovito and Severina Nad. He was the third of eight siblings. As the oldest son, he fully embraced the role of “Kuya” (Big Brother), protector, source of support and encouragement towards his siblings, and eventually in his many friendships and relationships.

In the late 1970’s, a tragic accident spread the Nad family of 10 across two continents. Their father, Jovito, was cooking lunch for his family when the gas stove exploded and the children watched their father burn. The family was working for philanthropist Jessie Lichauco (Tita Jessie) and she helped send their father Jovito to Boston, Mass., for burn treatment. Over the years, the family migrated to the United States.

At that time, David Bradley, a Fulbright Scholar in the Philippines, was staying in the home of Tita Jessie. Together, David & Tita Jessie paved the way for Jojo to be educated on scholarship at Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Md. At age 14, Jojo left Paco, Manila and got on an airplane for the first time and found himself living in a dorm in the exclusive private school. David became Jojo’s guardian, mentor and father-figure, and Tita Jessie continued her support from the Philippines & Boston. Jojo always said he was in large part who he was because of the tremendous influence, kindness & generosity of David & Tita Jessie.

After graduating high school from Georgetown Prep, Jojo returned to the Philippines and enrolled in the Ateneo de Manila University eventually transferring to Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro. He graduated with a degree in Socio-Anthropology.

Jojo loved people and wanted to be with people. He took on different roles and had so many extraordinary adventures that his friends dubbed him “The Highlander: There can only be One”.

His involvement in non-profit work took him to the fields & mountains of Mindanao. Just like the movie adventurer, Indiana Jones, Jojo also loved to wear an explorer’s vest. He proudly recalled all kinds of adventures including living with a tribal community and sporting their tribal wear. He also loved to tell of the time he brought a large herd of Anglo-Nubian goats on a barge from Malaysia to Mindanao to provide nutritious milk to indigenous people with calcium deficiency. He spent time in Japan where he taught English and immersed himself in Japanese culture. When he returned to the States, he worked in the mortgage industry, became youth minister at his parish, and eventually pursued business in the energy space.

Jojo met his wife Manette at the Jesuit Residence in Loyola University in Baltimore while planning “Life’s Directions”, a retreat for young adults organized by a mutual Jesuit friend, Fr. Ted Gonzales, SJ. They got married in Sausalito, Calif. In 2007. They adopted their dog, Breuer, a large & loving Rhodesian Ridgeback who died in 2015. They shared simple joys, enjoyed getting together with friends, watching favorite shows, and they shared a deep faith & love for God.

Cooking energized Jojo and he loved seeing others enjoy food he prepared. He loved martial arts and earned his black belt in TaeKwonDo & Aikido, learned Kendo & Kail/Arnis, and was a sempai at an Aikido dojo in Maryland.

Jojo was intense, full of energy, and always the “life of the party”. He had a way of filling the space around him in the way that only Jojo could. Underneath all that intensity & energy though, was a deep & tender & thoughtful person. He loved God. He loved family. He loved friends. He loved cooking & grilling. He loved martial arts. He valued faith & integrity and stood by his convictions & principles. With any endeavor, he gave fully of himself with infectious energy. He lived life to the fullest.

After a wonderful evening with friends & delicious food & deep conversation with his wife, Jojo passed away very unexpectedly in the early morning of July 2nd. Manette, his wife of nearly 15 years, was by his side at their Maryland home. He was 59.

Jojo left this world the way he lived life — fully and with much love and passion. Heaven has gained another soul and he is now reunited with Papang, Nanay, Alexis and Tita Jessie.

Jojo is remembered with love & fondness by his wife Manette, and his siblings: Teresa N. Remollino (Nilo) of Vallejo, Calif.; Maria Delores Nad of Vallejo, Calif.; Virginia N. Duwe. (Tormud) of San Francisco; George A. Nad (Julie) of Vallejo, Calif.; Mercedita T. Nad (Shawn Hughes) of Andover, Mass.; Cornelia N. Nad (Mark Mills) of Hudson, N.H.; Erick Nad of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service for Jovito will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church, 7850 Parkside Blvd, Hanover, MD 21076. The mass will be live-streamed at 10 am EST, 7 am PST, 10 pm Philippine time, St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church, saintlawrencemartyr.org/livestream-mass

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garylkaufmanfuneralhome.com for the Nad family.