Romulo Daroy Esteves was called home to our Lord on December 15, 2021. He peacefully
departed this world surrounded by those who loved him, his beloved wife and four children. He
was 83 years old.
Romulo was born on March 04, 1938 to Ponciano and Valentina Esteves growing up with three
brothers and six sisters in Lasip Grande - Dagupan City, Philippines. As a young child with the
world at war, he experienced many unforgettable moments that would later drive him to military
service.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Luzon Colleges in 1958, Romulo
would go on to marry Feliciana Martin in 1964, and together they would raise a beautiful family
of four children, a daughter and three sons. Romulo would later compete for a unique program
that offered the best and brightest young men in the Philippines an opportunity to join the
United States Navy. From 1947 to 1992, tens of thousands of Filipinos and sometimes as many
as 100,000 applicants competed each year with no more than a few hundred Filipinos chosen
to enlist. In 1965, Romulo was one of a few hundred men chosen to enlist in the U.S. Navy out
of the more than 30,000 Filipino applicants in 1965.
In 1970, Romulo would take his family and immigrate to the United States which would
represent the first step towards the eventual migration to California of the larger Esteves family
tree.
Romulo retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1984 having served a distinguished 20 year career of
Naval Service. He spent most of his Naval Career in San Diego but would move and relocate
his family after his retirement from the Navy to the San Francisco Bay area to start what would
be a 15 year career in the U.S. Postal Service. In 2000, Romulo would eventually retire for good
in Tracy, CA to enjoy life traveling with his wife, and spending more time with both his children
and grandchildren.
Romulo enjoyed cooking for his family, gardening, and had a natural talent for outdoor
construction. He deeply loved his family and demonstrated that love through his life-long
guidance, mentorship, and building backyard projects for his wife and all his children. He will
be forever remembered for all the things he enjoyed doing for his family. Our love, closeness,
and family bonds with each other are a direct reflection of his devotion and love as a father.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Feliciana Martin of Calit - Binmaley,
Pangasinan, Philippines; a loving daughter, Lilibeth; sons, Rommel, Joey, and Roland; and 13
grandchildren.
A viewing and Rosary were conducted on January 4, 2022 at Fry’s Memorial Chapel in Tracy,
CA. Mass was held on January 5, 2022 at Saint Bernard’s Catholic Church, in Tracy CA and
burial with military honors at Valpico Memorial Park (12815 West Valpico Road, Tracy CA).
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