Abe Tandog Velarde

October 19, 1925 - September 11, 2022

Loving Son, Brother, Husband, Uncle, Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather.

In loving memory of our father Major, Abe Tandog Velarde, who passed away on September 11, 2022, at the golden age of 96 years old. He was a Loving Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Uncle, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Our father was a gentle, giving man who worked tirelessly to ensure that his family had everything they needed. He faced every challenge in life with admirable strength and courage. He served on the frontlines in the Philippine Army from 1941 through 1946 and continued to serve as a reserve officer for the Philppine Airforce after his stint in the Army in WWII. On April 24, 1954 he married the love of his life Arcangel Gatpayad in a church ceremony at the Church of Santisimo Rosario Parish in Binondo, Manila, Philippines.

They were married 68 years and have three children, (Veronica, Valerio and Fredda). He enjoyed working as a corporate and commercial pilot until his retirement at the age of 60 and loved to share his skills and knowledge of being a pilot and a flight instructor in the Philippines until he immigrated to the United States and naturalized as a citizen in 1993. He was a proud WWII veteran and spent his 60s through his 80s volunteering at the polls at every single United States election. He also enjoyed listening to music, loves to sing, reading pocketbooks especially Robert Ludlum stories. An avid fan of LA Lakers, he often was hard to get a hold of during the most recent championship season. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-children.

Early in life, he learned the importance of hard work and he instilled that same work ethic in his entire family. He was always there for every moment, whether we needed help with our homework, a ride to and from school by car or by plane, or just an ear or a shoulder to cry on. He was a man of strong Catholic faith and he taught us the importance of family, hard work and doing what is right.

Affectionately known as “Tatay” which means Father in Tagalog, he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Arcangel G. Velarde, his three children, Veronica,Valerio and Fredda, their spouses, Naldy, Aida and Rey, his grandchildren, Joana-Lou, Angele Jean, Ronald Jed, Danilo-Dominic Alfonso, Arnauld-Jared, Angelo Dominic, and RaynellJane, his great grandchildren, Ava Marié, Max Elon, Leila, James Ethan, John Jaxon, Ezekiel, Mason Alexandre, Owen Alfonso, Hannah Yvon and his extended family, Michael, Mark, Alan, and Aurora.

To honor his memory, we are holding a celebration of his life on October 30th at the Cascades at the Rancho Vista Golf Course, 3905 Club Rancho Drive in Palmdale, CA. We invite anyone who knew him to attend and remember and celebrate his wonderful life. For our families around the world in Canada, Australia, across the US, and Europe, especially in the Philippines; we plan to live stream his veteran’s memorial and celebration of life service.

Bravo Zulu, Major Abe Tandog Velarde. You are now at peace and will live on forever in our hearts.

We love you so much. Rest in Paradise.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tridentsociety.com/location/san-diego-ca for the VELARDE family.