Ricardo Tomamao Salazar

Ricardo Tomamao Salazar, age 82, of Waldorf, Maryland passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in the ICU at the Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center due to his long battle from illnesses and complications from pneumonia. Ricardo was born August 13, 1938 in Rosales, Pangasinan, Philippines to the late Fausta Tomamao and Pablo Salazar. He was the 5th child of 8 children (Bienvenida, Primicias, Florentina, Perfecto, Norma, Crisostomo and Felicidad). Ricardo worked many jobs while in the Philippines until he left in 1980 for Jubail, Saudi Arabia to work as a Ship Steward for 3 years. With the assistance of his older brother Perfecto, wife (Maura Bercasio) and children (Vic John, Michelle, Phillip), pops and his wife emigrated to America in 1983 followed by his 3 children in 1984. He worked several jobs in the US to give his family a good life and retired from Prince Georges Hospital on 2012. He was a devoted member of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in the Philippines, Temple Hills and Waldorf, MD as well as Pensacola, FL. He was a friendly, easy going, humble, fun, and generous person. Most of all, he was very family oriented, always willing to help those he loved specially the family in the Philippines. He is survived by his wife, Norma (Suerte); children, Lorna (Sam), Henry, Marizelle and son-in-law, Christopher Sam; grandkids, Laraina, Christian, Joshua, and Sophie; brother, Primicias, sister, Fely Meru; niece, Rowena, nephew, Chrisanty; numerous Salazar/Tomamao/Suerte nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and extended families in the Philippines, Greece, Canada, Riyadh, and the US. Being from the Philippine islands, he enjoyed the water and loved nature. He had a love for fishing and gardening which is the reason why we chose to lay him to rest at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, VA. This cemetery has been accredited as an arboretum and per Columbia Gardens Cemetery website, the cemetery "has been dedicated to the planting, preservation and stewardship of trees and woody plants on our property." In lieu of flowers, the family have set up a fundraiser to go towards planting a tree by his grave site through Merrifield Garden Center at Falls Church and dedicate a rose bush memorial in his honor to be planted at the cemetery's Rose Garden. The tree and rose bush memorial will be a nice lasting tribute to pops from family and friends he touched in his life as well as a contribution to the arboretum. Remaining funds will go towards his head stone and a small garden at his grave site. From the Salazar family, we thank all of you for the love and support you have given us. Each of you have been a blessing from God in comforting our family. Special thank you, gratitude and love to our extended family Jenny and her father Bill Johnson for assisting us with various arrangements. Most of all, we thank God for the comfort and peace He continues to bless our family. A visitation for Ricardo will be held Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. A visitation will occur Friday, April 23, 2021 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. A graveside service will occur Friday, April 23, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. The family has requested that attendance inside the funeral home be limited to 30 people at a time during the visitations. Employees will be at the entrance to assist visitors. If there are any questions about this, you may call our office and a director will assist you. Tree, rose bush memorial, head stone and garden donations can made at: ** https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-ricardo-t-salazar ** Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-funeralhomes.com for the Salazar family.