A Father’s Legacy: Celestino Linay, Sr.

Mourning in Faith

“we are his legacy and we will proudly carry on what he has taught us: Good family values, respect, love and support”.

With fondness and a tinge of sadness, that is how Gil Linay proudly sums up the life that was of his dearly departed father, Celestino Linay, Sr. His eulogy to his father, so
much imbued with love and candor, touches everyone’s heart and leaves many sad and teary-eyed.

Following is the full text of Gil’s tributes to his father:

Good evening:
My name is Gil, a proud son of Celestino Linay.
Just before I begin, my mother & I, sisters Irma & Carmen, brothers Lindo & Jing wish to extend our thanks for the tremendous love and support we received from all of you – here and abroad during this time of sorrow. Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through, so
much more if it is a parent. No words can express what we feel right now especially my mother whose love and dedication towards my father cannot be measured. Their marriage was a true union of love and devotion and we draw
strength from that love especially now.

Glen Oak Memorial Chapels

Our father lived a long and healthy life. He passed away peacefully in the hospital with his dignity intact. We are his legacy and we will proudly carry on what he has taught us. Good family values, respect, love and support.
My father was 95 yrs old and would have turned 96 this coming April 6th. My father was one of those hard working fathers. He was a musician. He coordinated Cavinti orchestra – a group of seven. They were the cd’s, the
dvd’s and the audio’s of the town during their younger years. He played the trombone, piano, violin and several other instruments. I remember; my father and Ninong Kiko Umali would volunteer in the church choir especially on Christmas midnight masses. My father would play the
organ and Ninong Kiko played the violin.

My father taught us the love of music. I was able to play the trumpet. My brother, Lindo, played the saxophone and my sister, Carmen, played the guitar.

My father was an employee in the municipal government of our town Cavinti until his retirement.

Toronto Police Honor Guards

This year would have been my parents’ 65th year of marriage. My father loved us all and we respected him for all that he’s done for us. Family was very important to him and we are a close and supportive family because of
his example. Christmas was a special time for our family, as we’d gather every year to celebrate. We made the effort to be together because of our father. The joy in his eyes when he saw a new member of the family was priceless.
Growing up, our father always got his way. His words were the law in our house. I used to fear him but I never thought he was teaching us one of the most valuable lessons in life – standing up for what you believe in. As I
grew older, I slowly understood why he treated us like that. I also discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind person. Quiet and strict he may appear but in his heart, he was a loving and caring person. I learned that the most important thing that he had was us – his family.
Though he may never have said it out loud, I know that he was really proud of what we have become. We are who we are today because we had a father like him. My father showed strength until the end and he still had some enlightening words for us. He told us to take care of each other as couple’s and as families. He also said to take care of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Celebration of Life and the Eucharistic Sacrifice

We thank you Tatay for every thing that you have taught and provided us. Now that you have left us, we are proud to say this one thing – of all that he was; he was our Dad

In closing, God, please watch and bless Tatay’s journey to You in heaven. We are thankful for the long and successful life he has led. Thank You for blessing us with such a beautiful soul. We love him very much and miss him
greatly. Good bye Tatay; you will be forever in our hearts.

Celestino Linay, Sr., affectionately called Tinong or Amang Tinong by the younger sets, passed away on the early morn of Tuesday, February 16th.
Visitations and viewing were held at Glen Oak Memorial Gardens Chapel.
Reception was on Thursday and Friday, February 18th -19th.

Carlito Mejilla, in his tributes to his Pareng Tinong, lightened up the solemn moment with his recollections of some humorous anecdotes from Amang Tinong’s life. On a
serious note though, he stressed the former’s hard working nature and his love of music which he passed on to his children.

You Will Always Be Remembered

Friends and loved ones paid their last respect to Amang Tinong, highly respected nonagenarian among his peers of seniors and father figure of the Cavinti community here in Toronto. Brando Linay, nephew of the deceased
flew in from California, while relatives and close family friends from Chicago came in such as the Villamin siblings: Tessie Villamin-Tuazon, Florence Villamin-Cabrera, Andy Villamin; the Ansay matriarch, Virgie Ansay and children: Darwin and Melle, Nelly, Grace; the Arguson’s: Jette
Arguson-De la Torre and husband Bing, Ed and Sergio, Jr. Long-distance words of support and sympathies poured in from the Cabuhat’s: Dominador & Gena, Jerlene and Freddie, Doris and Celso; ditto Lucy Oblena, Jessie &
Miriam Mirasol, Nellie Ansay, Grace and Flor Valente, and Josephine Linay-Biruan from Ireland to mention a few.
Carmen, one of two daughters of Celestino and Sotie Linay, who resides in Kuwait with her family, could not make the funeral services much to her regrets due to time constraints. However, her son Fahad expressed the
family’s deep and adoring sentiments of their Tatay in a flawless Tagalog message.

On Saturday, February 20th, memorial services were held at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Mississauga. The Toronto Police Services (wherein Gil is an AIFS senior forensic finger print technician and supervisor) provided two
honor guards during and after the church’s funeral rites.
Interment followed at Glen Oak Memorial Gardens, a beautifully landscaped private memorial gardens & mausoleums in suburban Oakville. Acting as pallbearers, the grandsons and nephews wore dark suits and white gloves in honor of their grandfather.

Upon conclusion of the Last Rites and the last flower gently laid on the coffin, the mourners left the gravesite one by one, providing the family with some private moments to reflect once more on the memories and legacy of
Celestino Linay Sr. – beloved and devoted husband of Sotie, loving father of Irma, Gil, Lindo, Carmen, and Celestino Jr. (Jing), proud father-in-law of Ed Avelino, Lenny Villacorta, Gay Espinosa, Muhammad Obaidly, and Jane Linay; caring grandfather of Chris & Vanessa, Reesa, Beverly & Patrick, Derek, Khristin & Marlo, Khrisette, Anuod, Basil, Fahad, Farah, Jarred, Jancelle and Janna; and doting great-grandfather of Tasiana, Malcolm, Quentin, Krizlyn, Jaelind, and baby boy Marick.

I.J. Castillo
Toronto, Canada