Obituary
Romeo (Romy) Rose Zabal
Dec. 26, 1940 – Aug 6, 2015
Romy Zabal, 74, passed away on August 6, 2015 after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was born to Marcelino, Sr and Dorotea Zabal in Polo, Banga, Aklan, Philippines. He enlisted in the Philippine Air Force and attained the grade of Staff Sergeant. He went on to graduate from Guagua National College with a BS in Business Administration and accepted the role of Finance Officer in the Philippine Constabulary (now the Integrated National Police). Romy married Lydia Yeban of Malinao on November 8, 1972 in Kalibo, Aklan. After moving to the United States in 1973, he worked in the Finance departments of Signetics and Philips, where he retired in 2002.
Romy had a list of hobbies including playing volleyball, dancing, gardening, traveling, babysitting his grandchildren, karaoke, and playing games like mahjong and Hold ‘Em poker. His most passionate project was preserving his family heritage by creating the Zabal family tree where he was able to trace his family roots back to the 1700s. He found many long-lost and distant relatives by interviewing elders and reviewing public records.
He was also an active member of the Malinao Brotherhood Improvement Society (MBIS), where he was twice elected President, as well as Treasurer, auditor and a member of the Board of Directors.
Romy is survived by his mother Dorotea, his loving wife of 42 years, Lydia, his daughter and son-in-law, Althea & Giancarlo of Los Angeles, CA, and son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Juliet of Hayward, CA, and two granddaughters, Olivia and Thalia. He is also survived by his siblings Servillano, Edgardo, Marcelino Jr, Franklin, Lorna, Dante, and Diosdado. He is preceded in death by his father Marcelino, Sr. and brother Eduardo.
The family will receive friends from 10am to 8pm on Sunday, August 16th at Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary in Fremont, CA. A funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 am on Monday, August 17, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Milpitas, CA. Flowers and condolences can be sent to Lima Family Mortuary.