Antonio Austria Mendoza

Born into Life July 09, 1936

Entered into Heaven June 25, 2015

On July 09, 1936 Antonio, better known as Tony, was born in San Carlos City, Pangasinan Philippines. He was the third child of Anastacio Sr. and Juana Mendoza. He was a brother to Salud, Tita, Epic, Eduard, and Doel.

At an early age, Tony was deemed a prankster. These tendencies stayed with him until his high school years. Aside from being a prankster, he also served as a mediator between two of his younger brothers, Eduard and Doel. When the two would quarrel, Tony would end the fight by using this logical saying, “Instead of fighting each other, why not fight someone else? We can do it together.”

Besides pulling pranks on the neighborhood kids, assuaging his brothers’ fuming tempers, Tony also liked to spend his time at his Uncle Esting’s house. There, Tony, Eduard, and Doel would watch their Uncle Esting wrestle all the men that came to challenge him.

When Tony reached high school he acquired a new hobby, it was reading. He became an avid reader, reading all types of books. His love of books and thirst for knowledge became a part of who he was. This helped him graduate from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science for Mechanical Engineering.

After graduating from college, Tony went to Manila to work in a clothing/textile factory. He knew that this was not his calling. So, on July 13, 1959 he enlisted into the United States Navy. Tony began his naval career as an E-1 Seaman Recruit. He worked diligently and dutifully, serving his country for 22 years. Within this time he was given many awards and merits. He received 5 Good Conduct Awards, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, a Vietnam Service Medal (2 Stars), and these are just to name a few. Among these numerous awards, Tony’s greatest naval achievement was earning the rank of E-9 Master Chief Machinist Mate. The U. S. Navy requested that Tony stay with them longer, but he respectfully declined and on February 28, 1981 Tony retired from active duty.

One of the benefits of being in the U.S. Navy is that you get to travel to different places and meet many people. In Tony’s case, the Navy gave him more than that. It gave him the opportunity to meet the Love if his Life, Amelita Macam, better known as Amy. This life changing moment happened at a bus station somewhere in Chicago, IL on September 05, 1964. Tony was in Chicago to meet a pen pal for the first time. He saw Amy and noticed that they were on the same bus going to the same place. The pen pal that Tony was supposed to meet happened to be one of Amy’s class and dormitory mates. Tony never did meet that pen pal, he did however, show up to that dorm to call upon Amy. Over and Over again! Tony only intended to stay in Chicago for two weeks, but a lost ticket allowed him to stay for a little bit longer. He took advantage of this extended stay and made sure that before he left Amy would know just how much he liked her. She did know though because she felt the same way about him.

Tony returned to Norfolk, VA with Amy constantly on his mind. They endured a long distance relationship filled with endearing phone calls. These phone calls would last for hours and amount to phone bills sometimes costing over $600, but it was all worth it. During one of these phone calls Tony did something very unexpected, but very special. He asked Amy to marry him. She said YES of course! So Tony traveled to Chicago once more to pick Amy up. They made their way to Elizabeth City, NC and were married on February 20, 1965 in a civil ceremony.

Due to prior commitments, Tony and Amy’s first year of marriage was spent apart from each other in different states, Tony in Virginia and Amy in Illinois. This helped prepare them for the time that Tony would have to be away at sea. After a year, the newlyweds were finally reunited. Tony’s commitment to the Navy caused him to be away from Amy for months at a time, but it didn’t matter. Their love crossed oceans and continued to grow.

Tony and Amy lived wherever the Navy stationed Tony. Then in 1976 they purchased the house in San Diego, CA. They turned that house into a home, filling it with love and care. Tony and Amy were not able to have children of their own, but they accepted this as God’s will. So throughout the years, they opened up their home to their nieces and nephews. When any of them came to visit Tony and Amy would shower these children with love. The best part of any vacation at Uncle Tony and Auntie Amy’s was the fishing. Tony was an exemplary fisherman. So naturally, he taught many of his nieces and nephews how to fish. Under his tutelage many of them became self- sufficient in the basics of fishing. Tony also passed onto his nieces and nephews his love and knowledge of the sea. Many of their nieces and nephews viewed them as second parents and Tony and Amy loved each of them as their own.

Tony and Amy’s five month courtship turned into a life-long love affair. Their marriage was filled with tenderness, devotion, respect, and an unconditional love. Each day of their marriage Tony doted on Amy. He always made sure that any disagreements of the day were resolved before they uttered “goodnight “. They loved exploring new places and traveled the world together. On February 20, 2015 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. It was not an extravagant celebration, but better yet, a simple meal, sitting side by side, hand in hand, and heart to heart.

A few months after reaching that milestone of their life together, Tony was called home to his final resting place. On June 25, 2015 Tony breathed his last breath with the Love of his Life by his side. Amy held his hand in those final moments, but will hold him and their love in her heart forever.

Tony lived a wonderful life. It was filled with fun, laughter, adventure, happiness, and love. He was surrounded by people that could not help but to love him. He had a kind and generous soul and those who knew him will miss him beyond words could ever describe.