Jose G. Marquinez

You may have known him as Jose, Joe, Peping, or -- if you knew him in the Navy -- Marty. But he also went by “Uncle”, “Honey”, “Dear”, “Dad”, and “Grandpa”. The second to the youngest of nine children, Jose Galope Marquinez was born and raised in Subic, Philippines. He told us great stories from his childhood like: fishing with his dog “Bantay”, getting Hershey chocolate bars from American soldiers, or walking 10 km under a banana leaf in the monsoon to buy pan de sal or to get to school (that might have been an exaggeration).

Through his cousin, Zenaida, he met Milagros “Mila” Calubaquib, a medical student at University of Santo Tomas. That was around 1956 -- and apparently, he didn’t make much of an impression on her. However, luck was on his side, and in 1960, they met again at his uncle’s house in New York, and that was the real beginning of their relationship. Later, he would often joke about how Mila was the one who would try to get his attention by flirting and winking at him, and that she was the one who begged him to marry her. But it was he who proposed to her -- in a letter. They married on June 30, 1962 in Inglewood, CA, honeymooned at Disneyland, and began their life as newlyweds at the Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan where he was stationed.

Life in the Navy took them many places: Japan, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. After seven years of marriage, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Gina. She was definitely daddy’s little girl, and spending time with her was the highlight of his day. From Florida, they moved to Oak Harbor, Washington for a few years, and then ultimately settled in San Diego, California. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1978 after over 20 years of service. Following his time in the Navy, he worked at the U.S. Post Office until his retirement in 2001. He was a hard-worker, working nights for almost his entire time in the Post Office.

Those of us who were blessed to have known him will attest to the fact that he was a quiet man, not wanting a great deal of attention. He was entitled to a military funeral with honors, but declined because he felt that there were people in the military whose service to our country was for more deserving than his.

He loved chocolate, ice cream, any dessert (remember watching him select every dessert at the buffets?), animals, and football (go Chargers!). He enjoyed watching shows like Bewitched (his favorite character was Endora), I Dream of Jeanie, and sports. He loved traveling, and went to places like: England, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the Scandinavian countries, Alaska, and the Panama Canal. He loved music: ABBA, Ray Conniff, Sarah Brightman, and Andy Williams filled his iPod Shuffle. While he may not have always enjoyed a crowd, he loved to hang out with his family and friends, telling jokes and funny stories. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh -- and the sound of his laughter will be sorely missed.

The thing he loved most in his life was his family. He was the master of surprises, and loved to sneak out and buy his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren presents. No one could pull off a surprise like him -- and the joy he got from giving was evident by the smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes. He loved his grandchildren with all his heart. He loved tickling them, building marble tracks with them, buying them toys, and just being with them. When he was in the hospital and while he was recovering at home, his grandchildren where one of the strongest motivators for him to get well. He was deeply emotionally connected with his family -- Mila, Gina, Howard, Madeline, and Kyle -- he was affectionate with his hugs, and he said, “I love you” everyday.

The lives of those who knew him will never be the same with him gone. However, if you were blessed to have loved him and to have been loved by him, his memory will live in your hearts forever.