Emmanuel Janolo Narvaez, Sr. (1938-2012)
A poignant military ceremony, with U.S. Navy Corpsmen in attendance, was held for the interment of Emmanuel "Manny" Narvaez, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, at the Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, CA, on May 18, 2012. Manny's casket was brought to the service chapel in a horse-drawn hearse, followed by his family and friends.
After a brief service at the site, the U. S. flag was presented to Fely Narvaez (nee Tan), Manny's wife, the "Taps" was played by a bugler, a nine-gun salute was given and 50 doves were released with the help of Manny's grandchildren. Interment was not open to the public but visitation at his finally resting place was allowed a few hours later.
The vigil for Manny was held on May 17th at El Camino Memorial in San Diego from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with a packed audience in attendance. Rev. Isaias Paniamogan, a Silliman University alumnus, conducted a service which family members and friends participated in, sharing their memories of Manny. A service celebrating Manny's life was held the next day at the Mira Mesa Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. Eulogies were rendered by Manny's three sons, Eddie, Jay and Eric and by his sister, Priscilla Shurney; passages from the Scriptures were read by grandsons Jeremy, Jed and Jason; and granddaughters Emily, Macie and Emma sang "What a Wonderful Day" as a tribute to their Lolo. The Rev. Brad Roth conducted the service and music accompaniment was provided by sister-in-law, Miriam Tan Cole.
Manny was born on April 4, 1938 in Cavite, Philippines, and was a graduate of the Union High School, Class '55. After he obtained his AA degree, he joined the U.S. Navy in order to help provide for his family and eight siblings. On his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Manny worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years. He was a member of the Silliman University Alumni and Friends at San Diego for 20 years. A quiet and private person, Manny was very supportive of his wife who served as the President of the association for two terms and was always ready to lend a hand at the various social gatherings of the association. Manny's father, Damiano Narvaez, was a pastor in the Philippines.
Manny is survived by his wife of 46 years, Fely Narvaez (nee Tan), a graduate of the Silliman University School of Nursing, sons Edward (wife Carla), Emmanuel "Jay-jay" (wife Carina) and Eric, six grandchildren, and a large extended family comprising Manny's and Fely's siblings and their families.
Ligaya M. Simpkins
