Ponciano Vistro of Chula Vista, CA peacefully passed away December 15, 2020, at the Garcia-Endozo Senior Home. He was born on November 21, 1927 in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan, Philippines to Maximiano and Fortunata Vistro. He was the youngest of 13 children. Ponciano joined the U.S. Navy in 1946 at the age of 18 and had the aspiration to make it a career. Early into his enlistment, while on leave in the Philippines, it was his fate to see a beauty pageant poster of a beautiful young lady in which he fell immediately in love with. Ponciano married Remedios Quintas Rufo on September 16, 1951. They began their newly married residency in Honolulu, Hawaii and became naturalized citizens of the United States in January 1953. They raised three children: Marvin (11/28/54) born in Hawaii, Elsie (12/12/55) born in Hawaii and Vernie (5/16/57) born in Coronado, CA.
Ponciano served 22 ½ years in the U.S. Navy. He rose to the rank of non-commissioned officer: Yeoman Chief Petty Officer. While serving as Yeoman, he also studied military law. He had 4 tours on the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga which took him to West Pac Hawaii, Japan, Philippines, and Hong Kong, and on the USS Constellation he visited ports in Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Chile, Panama Canal and Acapulco. He was extremely proud of his military service and retired in 1968. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, he worked for the County of San Diego Social Services Department. Ponciano furthered his education and graduated with an Associate in Arts degree in General Studies from Southwestern College in 1976. As a devout Catholic, he served many roles as a parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church, but he was most proud of reading scriptures during masses as a Lector. He also served his community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, rising to the highest level, Fourth Degree. He loved reminiscing about the Philippines and eating Filipino cuisine with friends and relatives at Urbiztondo and Pangasinan gatherings.
Ponciano is survived by his spouse of 69 years, Remedios (Remy), daughter of Macario and Maria Rufo; eldest son Marvin Vistro, married to wife Helen, with sons Macario (Marc) Vistro and Nicholas Vistro and girlfriend Margret Ocadiz; daughter Elsie Vistro Gonzalez, married to Michael, with daughter Briana Vistro Gonzalez Vargas and husband Javier, son Eric Gonzalez and fiancée Kristalyn Obtera; youngest son Vernie Vistro, married to wife Marci, with eldest son Ryan Vistro and wife Ashley with children Micah (4) and Marina (2), and youngest son Taylor Vistro and girlfriend Sandrea Tu.
Church Service will be held at Mater Dei Catholic Church (571 Magdalena Avenue, Chula Vista CA 91913) on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:00am
Interment Service will be held at Glenn Abbey Memorial Mortuary (3838 Bonita Road, Bonita CA 91902) on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 11:30am
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