Valeriano Cabanatan - Obituary

aleriano Terencio Cabanatan, 86, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2009. Born on September 12, 1923 in Guiwan, Philippines, he devoted 30 years of his life to active duty with the US Navy. Initially joining the Navy in the Philippines during WWII to "see the world", he could truly attest that the Navy's promise did just that. His military career spanned World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1974 attaining the rank of Senior Master Chief. Following his military career, he worked at the US Government Printing Office until his eventual retirement to the Washington, DC area. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Some of his favorite hobbies were gardening and his love for traveling. Mr. Cabanatan was the beloved and faithful husband of 50 years to the late Liria I. Cabanatan. He is survived by his two sons, Valerian I. Cabanatan and his wife Cynthia of Olympia, WA, and James I Cabanatan of Washington D.C.; a niece, Julie De La Paz and her husband Adrian of Germantown, MD; two grandsons, Victor and Eric Cabanatan, a great-nephew Jonathan De La Paz, and a host of extended family and friends. Dad was always right in the lessons he tried to teach us, even when we didn't realize it at the time. He will be fondly remembered as a great father, provider, mentor, teacher, patriot and role model. We are truly thankful for the many gifts his life has given us and the many lives he touched along the way. Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Cabanatan's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 9am at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill, MD, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the VFW Post 5471, in C/O Andy Bravo, 8901 Palmer Rd., Ft. Washington, MD 20744.Please sign the guestbook at: www.KalasFuneralHomes.com