Casto J Unson
(1924 - 2008)

Lolo's Eulogy
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These are the things that we remember when we think about Lolo:

We remember the sound of his laugh and how he'd make corny jokes. We remember his weeknight TV lineup, watching "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" with Lola. We remember him reading the newspaper, doing word seek and solving crossword puzzles. We remember his devotion to Catholicism and the way he mumbled as he prayed the rosary. We remember how, for a man of his age, he had exceptional driving skills. We also remember how we thought of him as a human GPS, because his sense of direction was so extraordinary.

During his last days, the sound of Lolo's laugh was replaced with the sound of oxygen being pumped into his lungs. Even though his body became weak, his spirit never faltered; it continues to live in us as we remember the man he was. And although we can no longer hear him speak, his words of wisdom will always echo in our hearts.

We miss him terribly but we are thankful that he left this earth in the exact manner that he had wanted: at home, surrounded by his family, and having the love of his life be the last thing he saw before he closed his eyes. As we remember him, we think not of what we lost but we think of the happy memories left behind of a man who lived a fulfilling life.

Lolo was kind and gentle. He was one of the brightest men we've ever known, always keeping up to date in current events even in his old age. He instilled in us a high sense of value. He stressed the importance of family. He was good to others and treated them with respect. He worshiped God, adored Lola, and raised all of his children well. He was a man of great patience, and he always reminded us to practice this virtue especially when driving or waiting to be served at a restaurant.

Lolo was a very loving husband. In his 57 years of marriage to Lola, he always put her first. Even right before he passed away, he was always thinking about her, advising us not to be afraid of what was going to happen and to make sure to take care of Lola. He truly knew what it meant to be someone's life partner, and we all know that we would be extremely lucky if we were to find someone even half the person that he was.

As a parent, Lolo was very generous, providing all of his children with their needs. As his children grew up, he led them by example and imparted on them the guidance, morale and strength to eventually raise their own families.

As for us grandchildren, he loved us with such warmth that we cannot help but be grateful and feel blessed that he was our Lolo, and that we had gotten the chance to know him all of these years.

Lolo never thought he would be alive long enough to be a great-grandfather, but we are so thankful he had gotten the chance to meet little Emil. The sparkle in Lolo's eyes the first time he saw his great-grandson showed that this truly brought fulfillment in Lolo's life.

We like to think that Lolo lives on even after he is physically gone from this earth. It is up to us to keep him alive, remembering him in ways he would've liked. We like to think of him as continuing to live on in the hearts of those he touched, for nothing loved is ever lost and our Lolo is loved so much! We thank God that he lived a long and joyful life, and in that, we can find comfort that he is resting in peace.

We miss him and we love him. Always.

- Liza Marie Unson, granddaughter