Guillermo "Gil" Legaspi Baloy, known as "Emong" to his family and friends, was born on March 27, 1928, at the family home in Medicion 2nd, Imus, in the province of Cavite, Philippines. He was the 5th of nine children of Silvino and Tomasa Baloy. In 1946, at the age of 18 years old, Gil joined the U.S. Navy in the Philippines. He served in the Korean War, and worked as a hospital corpsman and x-ray technician. After 20 years, he retired from the Navy and settling down in Seaside, CA. Like his father, who was a fisherman by trade, Gil had a passion for fishing. He frequently would be found in his boat in the Monterey Bay.
He is survived by his wife Maria Penaflor Baloy of Spring Valley, CA; and children Gil Baloy Jr., married to Maricar Baloy, of Spring Valley, CA, Mark Baloy, married to Tami Baloy, of Salinas, CA, Caesar Baloy of San Diego, CA, and Evamarie Campbell of Seaside, CA. His grandchildren are Heatherlyn Lopez married to Jose Lopez, Ezra Baloy, Ethan Baloy and Mark Baloy Jr. He was blessed with a great-granddaughter Jaylyn Lopez. He is also survived by his sisters, Esther, Mameng, Empion, Osing, and brother Herminio from Cavite, Philippines. Gil died December 11, 2013 and was in-urned and laid to rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. He will be greatly missed.
“Dad’s Biography” written by Gil Baloy December 20, 2019
Guillermo (“Gil”) L. Baloy was born the fifth of nine children to Silvino and Tomasa Baloy on March 27, 1928, at home in Medicion II, Imus, in the Province of Cavite, Philippines. He graduated from high school at Imus Institute. At age 18, Dad joined the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II in 1946 at Sangley Point in Cavite City. He worked as a hospital corpsman, later specializing as an x-ray technician.
He met our mother Maria Crescini Penaflor in Manila, where she began her practice of nursing. They married in Olongapo, Zambales, on July 3, 1951. Dad and Mom became naturalized U.S. citizens in 1953 and 1957 respectively. We moved as a Navy family back-and-forth from the Philippines to the U.S. twice and lived in California in San Francisco, Oakland, Long Beach, China Lake, Orange, and in Beaufort, South Carolina. He did at least two “West-Pacs” where he would be out to sea for a year or more at a time.
Dad desired to retire in the Philippines or Guam, but the rest of us wanted to remain in California. With one last free move of our household effects by the Navy, we settled half-way with Honolulu, Hawaii. The folks had already put a down payment on a house and Mom got a job at Tripler Hospital, when we pulled up stakes to go back to the “mainland.” Dad finally retired from active service on December 15, 1966. We made our permanent residence on the Monterey Peninsula, first in the town of Marina and then the city of Seaside, where the folks have lived ever since. He enjoyed working as an x-ray technician and retired (a second time) from Thorton Medical Group in Monterey.
Dad had five “loves.” First, he loved the Navy and was proud to serve his country. By the way, he was honored in a “pinning service” for veterans conducted by a retired Navy Officer the night prior to his passing. In addition, Dad is to receive full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Monday, with no less than a 21-gun salute! We are so proud of him!
Secondly, Dad loved fishing. His birth certificate indicated his father was a fisherman by trade. Apparently, fishing was in his blood, because he loved it so much. The fishing bug also bit Gil Jr., who was a fanatic fisherman until he became a “fisher of men.” (Dad was a fantastic fisherman!) On the first trip after his conversion to Christ, Gil Jr. gave the gospel to Gil Sr., who reacted by threatening to throw his son overboard! To make a long story short, it never happened. But neither did we catch a single fish that day. It was similar to another fishing expedition when Gil Jr. eagerly overcast while the boat was still running and hooked Dad in the chin! Ouch! That may explain why over the years Gil Sr. always wore the captain’s cap and never relinquished command of the steering wheel to him… Oh, well.
Thirdly, Dad loved his children. He was a good teacher and disciplinarian in his own way. He wanted his children to grow up straight and tall. Dad even sold used cars to his sons, so that we would learn the value of money, not to mention how to fix them. His daughter may be another story. But later in life, he would donate a car to a needy son or grandson. Somehow, I can’t help in thinking Mom was somewhere in the background.
Fourthly, Dad loved Mom. He wasn’t one to show much emotion. He was a man of words. From the old school. Although, he had a indisputable talent from childhood for reciting poetry from memory with great feeling. We can hear him now pouring forth with pomp “The Village Smithy” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow! Another favorite is Psalm 23. Recently, in talking with Mom, who now lives with Gil Jr. and Maricar, she shared how Dad’s way was in deeds of love. If something needed to be done, he would do it. If Mom needed something, even if he disagreed as to its necessity, eventually he would get it. Dad was always there for her. The day Dad left us, Mom said, “ I miss him and I love him.”
Lastly, Dad loved the Lord. He came to know Christ in January when an elderly Filipino pastor and his wife were invited by Evamarie to their home to give him the gospel. He called on the Lord as His Savior then. Ever since then, he was a much different man who always had an ear to hear God’s Word. After every prayer, he always without fail expressed his thanks to the one giving it, and to God. On one occasion, as we awaited the oncologist at UCSD, Dad could see the concerned look on our faces, and assured us that he personally prays each day. Though the doctor’s news was not good, because of Dad’s spiritual news, we were better able to face it by the grace of God. One time, Dad became inspired at the end of Pastor’s prayer to add a special prayer all his own for the pastor and his family. God is truly good! We will all miss him.
Dad was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Maria. He is survived by his son Gil Jr. and wife Maricar, and grandsons Ezra and Ethan, of San Diego, CA; his son Mark and wife Tammy and his grandson Mark Jr. of Salinas, CA; his son Caesar of San Diego, CA; his daughter Evamarie of Seaside, and his granddaughter Heatherlyn Lopez and husband Jose and his great-granddaughter Jaylyn, of Eastlake, CA.
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