Maximo M Rondael

Maximo Magno Rondael returned to his heavenly home on September 9, 2017. He was surrounded by family and friends in person and through the blessing of live internet feeds. They were blessed to constantly share loving words, prayers, Holy Scriptures, and uplifting music with Maximo in his last days. Maximo was born to the late Anastacio Rondael and Consuelo Magno in Pototan, Iloilo, Philippines on November 18, 1931. He was the youngest of his siblings Clara (sister), Julia (sister), Mariano (brother) and Adela (sister). Maximo enlisted in the U.S. Navy while in the Philippines in 1955. He was assigned to the USS Hornet after training. While on leave in 1959, Maximo met a family friend named Didi. Maximo proposed marriage after three days of meeting and with a declaration to Didi of love at first sight. Didi agreed to a proper courtship which took place via letters while Maximo returned to duty onboard the ship. He married Didi Alianza Celo, on October 9, 1960 in Mlang, Cotabato, Philippines. Maximo’s career with the Navy brought them to the U.S.A. in 1966, where the family has grown and remains to this day. Maximo retired from the U.S. Navy in 1975 after 20 years of honorable service. He immediately began a second career with the U.S. Postal Service from which he retired in 1997 after 21 years of dedicated service. Maximo was blessed with a loving family. He helped raise his 3 children Maxwell (born 1962), Fern-Hope (born 1965) and Fiona-Faith (born 1972) with patience, discipline and humility. He often took the family on road trips to visit relatives and loved ones in the Bay area. He cooked many wonderful meals for his children and patiently taught them all to drive as teenagers. He is remembered by his children as a loving father of few words, who loved the Lord and his church family. He began a true relationship with Jesus Christ in the 1970’s while attending the First Filipino Southern Baptist Church of San Diego which later became Agape Community Baptist Church. He was an ordained deacon who loved the Word of God and hid many Holy scriptures in his heart by memorization. Most recently, he was an active member of First Baptist Church of Mira Mesa. Maximo was kind, soft-spoken, and well respected by his family and friends who knew him affectionately as “Lolo” and “Kuya Max”. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace and home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Maximo is survived by his wife, Didi; his son and daughter in law Maxwell and Loretta Rondael along with their children Joshua (wife Laura, daughters Avenly and Kendalyn), Phillip (wife Cassidy), Handel and Laura; his daughter and son in law Fern and Mark Bourrie along with their children Brittany Hunniecutt (husband Matthew, son Tristan, daughter Coraline), Breanna Magumpara (husband Jashlee, son Zaiden), Bethany and Max Thomas; his daughter and son in law Fiona and Joseph Segoria along with their children Noah, Bella and Elijah. The whole family has a great love for Lolo and miss him with all their hearts.