Mariano Espiritu
January 21, 1921 -
September 11, 2009
Mariano G. Espiritu, age 88, of New Castle, passed away Friday, September 11, 2009 at his residence, following an extended illness. He was born January 21, 1921 in Paranaque Rizal, Philippines, a son of the late Apolonio and Felicidad (Garcia) Espiritu.
Mariano was honored to have served during World War II under U.S. General Jonathan Wainwright, who commanded American and Filipino forces in the last days of Corregidor and Bataan in 1942, thus surviving the Bataan Death March. He graduated from Far Eastern University in Manila, and spent much of his productive work life as a lawyer for Mobil Oil Company in the Philippines. He was well respected as a gifted, compassionate leader who exhibited a passion for justice, seeking to resolve conflicts and reconcile issues between labor union workers and corporate management employees, with an eye toward maintaining fairness to each party and equity for all concerned.
At great personal expense, he lived out his convictions in advocating for the marginalized masses of workers as a small, fledging nation grew its business through some tumultuous times in the marketplace of Southeast Asia. Down and out of work, he was subsequently vindicated, restored with back compensation and promoted in employment by the company to provide further counsel for management's successful labor relations. God had brought him to deep lows and raised him to great heights for such a time as this.
Mariano also served as President of the National Oil Workers Union while in the Philippines and was an active member of the Filipino United Church of Christ, where he also served as the President of the church choir. Immigrating to America in 1972, Mariano resided in New York and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon, NY. In 2007, Mariano and his wife moved to New Castle to be close to their son and his family.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of over 52 years, Natividad L. Espiritu of New Castle; a daughter, Marina Espiritu Lutz, and her husband Charles of Newark, DE; a son, The Reverend M. Rex (wife, Melissa) Espiritu of New Castle; granddaughters, Laurella E. Lutz of Newark, DE, Christina Espiritu at Huntington University, Hannah, Grace, Tabitha, Priscilla and Sara Espiritu, all of New Castle; a sister, Maria Espiritu Nannie of Seaside, CA; a niece, Nila (husband, Ed) Dimangondayao of Oak Forest, IL, nephews, Dr. Vicente (wife, Doris) E. Velasco III of Phoenix, AZ, Noel E. (wife, Gigi) Velasco of Providence, RI, and Levi E. (wife, Diane) Velasco of Wheaton, IL; a half sister, Prescila Espiritu of Reno, NV, and a half brother, Efren Espiritu of Hawaii.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Leonila and a brother, Godofredo.
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection in Celebration of the life of Mariano will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 14, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle with the Reverend Dr. Rose Niles officiating. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery-West Lawn Addition at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to the First Presbyterian Church, 1202 Church St., New Castle, IN 47362 or at www.newcastlefpc.org or with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com
Inserted from <http://hinsey-brown.com/pages/details.cfm?obituaryID=401>
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