Agripino Mallari

Agripino “Pinong” Mallari passed peacefully in his home on August 24, 2018 surrounded by his large and loving family as they hugged, kissed and sang to him.

Agripino was born on June 23, 1925 in Santa Lucia, Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines, to Apolonio and Modesta Mallari. Growing up as one of nine children in a town as small as St. Lucia, he learned the importance of family, which was never more apparent during the Japanese occupation of World War II. He would later pass on this family-centric view to his children. Just a couple of months after the end of the war, Agripino’s mother signed the affidavit that would allow him to join the US Navy.

In 1946 in his newly minted navy uniform, Agripino departed tiny St. Lucia and sailed all across the Pacific – Tokyo, Guam, Hawaii, Midway Island (“I froze my ass off on Midway Island”), Alaska (“I froze my ass off in Alaska”). In the Bikini Atolls, he watched a menacing mushroom cloud rise above his bobbing ship. With the world freshly conquered, he returned home only to give it all away to a beautiful shopkeeper from Santa Thomas named Africa Leoncio, and in 1950 he whisked her off her feet to be married. Later that year, they joyfully welcomed their first child Olivia. The Korean War cut short their honeymoon, and Agripino boarded the aircraft carrier USS Boxer which, among other things, provided support to the landing on Inchon. Between deployments came child number two Pedro. After the war, the Navy afforded him the ability to move his family from the province to a nice, two story house in Caloocan City, a suburb of Manila, where Percy and Val were born.

In 1961 the US Navy sent him and his family to Coronado, CA, where Africa promptly gave birth to Marilyn, child number five. In 1963 the family moved to Long Beach. By that time the war in Vietnam had escalated and Agripino again was sent overseas to serve, this time on board the guided missile cruiser USS Topeka, as a first class ship fitter. That would be the last time he went overseas. He retired from the Navy in 1968, whereupon he moved from the Navy housings, and began his civilian life. In 1970 came the final addition to the family, Paul. The family relocated in 1974 to their current home in Lakewood.

Agripino was a naturally gifted musician and taught himself how to play the piano and guitar. His love of music was passed down to his children, and grand-children, and the house was always filled with music and song. And parties. Lots of parties. Agripino was happiest when his house was filled with people, laughter, and music. He loved/hated the Lakers. But what made him the happiest was being with his wife Africa – whether it was walking around Lakewood mall, eating breakfast at Jack-In-The Box, watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Family Feud, or just going “drive-drive” to Las Vegas or Pala Casino – it didn’t matter, he was happy as long as he was with her.

He semi-retired in 1980, taking on part-time work as a security guard, before finally calling it quits so that he and Africa could help take care of their grandchildren who they showered with love and soup and rice.

Agripino is survived by one sister – Natividad; five children – Olivia (Dave), Percy (Cheryl), Val (Anne), Marilyn (Dave), and Paul (Angel); eight grandchildren – Nigel, Andre, Julia, Lauren (Aaron), Alex, Kara, Miles, and Sydney; four great-grandchildren - Tyler, Casaundra, Zakeeri, and Carlie; and one great-great-grandchild – Leighton.

He was preceded in death by his son, Pedro Mallari in 2003, and his beloved wife Africa in 2012: his sisters Africa, Natividad, Soledad, his brothers Diosdado, Cornelio, Alfredo, Jose and his loving parents Apolonio and Modesta Mallari.

Number 1 lesson: always respect your elders, and family is the most important thing in the world.

We wish to extend our gratitude to the Pascual Family, his loving caregivers, Ating Virginia Barin, and Care Hospice for the love, comfort, and support they provided.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401