Ceferino A. Coles

Ceferino A. Coles was born August 16, 1925 in Canavid, Eastern Samar in the Philippine Islands. After a lengthy illness, he passed away peacefully on May 4, 2019 in Long Beach, CA. He was 93 years old and lived a full life.

During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Ceferino and a friend experienced the harshness of being held captive by Japanese soldiers. Fortunately, he was later released and reunited with his family. Tragically, his friend did not survive the captivity. On the morning of October 25, 1944, Ceferino heard the roar of battle occurring in the Philippine Sea. Climbing up to the highest coconut tree in the area, he witnessed the flash of battleship guns and their succeeding concussive blasts. (History reports visibility that day was 23 miles (20 nautical miles) with winds coming from the north to northeast). He knew the battle was between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Navy. However, he wasn’t sure who was the victor. Little did he know he witnessed the Battle off Samar and the historic stand made by the U.S. 7th Fleet known as Taffy 3. On another occasion, he heard the familiar roar of a Japanese Mitsubishi Zero. However, he also heard an engine growl he didn’t recognize.  Looking skyward he saw a Japanese Zero being pursued by an American plane. The American plane strafed and downed the Japanese Zero to his delight. Seeing that, he said to himself, “The U.S. is going to win this war”.

At the close of the war and American re-occupation, he recognized a better life could be had. After making several inquiries he learned he could realize this goal at the nearest post office. After obtaining the needed paperwork, he enlisted with the U.S. Navy at the age of 16. (His paperwork stated he was 18). He served dutifully for 20 years and retired from active duty in 1966. He served another 10 years in the Navy Reserve through 1976.

After retiring from the Navy, he moved his wife and 5 children to Quezon City, Philippines. Hoping to settle there permanently, he and his wife tried several business ventures but were unsuccessful. Surviving on his Navy pension, and the birth of another child, he knew America was the best place to raise his children. In 1969 he moved his family back to the U.S. and the last family member was added. He secured a job with Garret Air Research then later became employed with the United States Postal Service – Bulk Mail Center Bell, CA. In 1970 the family settled in Norwalk, CA and eventually moved to Cerritos, CA in 1976.

Ceferino was an avid music fan and loved listening to Big Band music. He didn’t have a favorite vocalist but had several tapes of the famous crooners of his day. It wasn’t uncommon for his household to hear the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Percy Faith, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams in the background. He also played guitar and tried to emulate the styles of Pilipino guitarists as well as Chet Atkins and Les Paul. For a brief time, he joined the Carinosa Swing Masters as rhythm guitarist. He was so excited about being in a band, he built the music stands for the musicians which featured the band’s name.

Ceferino loved watching basketball games, especially the LA Lakers. Whenever he had the chance, he’d listen to Laker games and commiserate through their losses to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Interestingly his favorite basketball player was Bob Cousy from the Boston Celtics. Bob Cousy could dribble, pass, shoot, defend and run the court better than anyone he watched in the 60s. When Magic Johnson and Larry Bird arrived in the NBA, he believed their basketball style mirrored Bob Cousy’s. Ceferino also liked to watch boxing matches regardless of weight class. In fact, while he was enlisted with the Navy, he boxed as an amateur for a brief period.

Ceferino was a quiet, cloistered dedicated family man. Due to the experience of losing his friend to the Japanese, his circle of friends was limited. For those who earned his trust, he was always willing to lend a hand or share life experiences with. His work ethic was remarkable and missing work due to sickness was very rare. Whenever the holidays came around, he never hesitated to work to obtain the extra pay for his family. With his children, his love for them was shown by his tireless work and loyal determination to give them an opportunity to succeed at life. His life lessons and family meetings were performed with precision and focused on the heart of the matter. He continued those with his grandchildren and nurtured them the best he knew how: Personal life lessons and experiences. Wanting his younger brother, Eutiquio (Rudy) to succeed, he successfully petitioned for him to emigrate to the US. Accordingly, Ceferino was also consistent with nurturing his brother with personal life lessons and experiences as well.

Accolades meant little to him and his service in the Navy outlined his service with distinction. Similar to those identified as the “Greatest Generation” he never mentioned his medals to his children and stored them away. His medals included a Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary (for initial operations in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia), World War II Victory, National Defense (for serving honorably in Korea/Vietnam), Navy Occupation Service-Europe (Germany/Austria), Good Conduct and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. However, his biggest and proudest achievements were obtaining his GE and AA degrees.

When the opportunity was available, he’d return to the town of Dolores, Eastern Samar to join in the town fiesta activities. At times he was accompanied with his wife Perfecta. They also managed to travel to Europe and take in the storied sights of the Old World. To those who hold him dear in their hearts, he will be deeply missed.

Ceferino was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Perfecta Geli Coles in May 2015. He is survived by his children Rose Marie Chavira, Ceferino Coles Jr (Heidi), Debra Wilson (Grant), Corazon Coles, Genevieve Gentile (Michael), Carlo Albert Coles (Leonora), Mary Perfecta Guzman (Gabriel), 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Viewing services will be held Friday, May 24, 2019, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Luyben-Dilday Mortuary, Long Beach, CA.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 25, 2019, at St. Barnabas Church, Long Beach, CA. Internment will follow with military honors at All Souls Cemetery, Long Beach, CA.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401