Isidro Novero

Isidro C. Novero or Papa as I fondly called him, was born in Manila, Philippines on April 4, 1935, the eldest of ten children to Esteban and Estrella. He was married to Ma. Paz for 51 years. They were blessed with three children, Jed and Cheryle, both residing here in the US and Gayle in the Philippines. They have four grandchildren, Steven, Kevin, Jedrick, and Marga.
Papa graduated from Far Eastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with major in Banking and Finance in 1956. He later pursued higher education and finished his Accounting major in 1967. He started as a regular employee and worked his way up to hold a managerial position in the accounting department of Floro Blue Printing Inc., a company that provides products and services involved in the photo industry. He worked in the company for 20 years, until he retired in 1987 and migrated to United States of America with his family.
When they migrated to the US, Papa and Mama stayed in Las Vegas with my sister, babysitting my nephews. Mama has to moved here to San Diego to help us, when we have Jedrick, while Papa contine to stay with my sistein Las Vegas. After years of residing in Las Vegas, Papa moved to San Diego, to seek medical attention for his heart and failing kidneys. He decided to stay here for good so he can be taken care of by Mama. Not very long after they moved with us, his kidneys failed and needed routine dialysis. He went thru the procedure three times a week for seven years and four months. He hanged on and never did complain. Papa was a strong and determined person. He endured through all these health challenges because he wanted to live longer for his family. He often said that he pulled his strength from the Lord and from the love of his family.
Papa was an avid fan of sports. He loved basketball and boxing, where he also engaged himself doing during his prime years. He also liked dancing and listening to the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley, Andy Williams and much more that are now considered classical and an old time favorites. He was a fan of sports figures like Robert Jaworski the living legend of Philippine Basketball, the greatest Muhammad Ali, and pambansang kamao Many Paquiao in professional boxing.
A truly inspirational person, Papa was not afraid of taking the first step for change because he believed that even the great and famous people were once a beginner. He made such steps in his life as demonstrated by his drive to pursue post graduate education after earning his Bachelors degree his hard work and determination to succeed in his career his optimism that his move to a different State will better his overall health and well being which, unbeknownst to him will eventually lead him to the greatest step he will ever take in his lifeit was here in San Diego that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Savior Pastor Larry Obero witnessed to him that the only way to get to heaven is to accept that you are a sinner, ask for forgiveness, and accept Jesus as your personal savior. He was saved on January 26, 2006 and got baptized months after. He was faithful in going to church services when he was still able.
Papa was well respected and loved brother to his siblings, supportive father to his children, and a loving husband to his Mama. Papa fulfilled his responsibilities to the fullest. His caring attitude made people who knew him feel that he is the person to go to for an advice, the person to talk to with when you needed someone who will listen with his heart.
Last year, on January 7, 2012, Papa shared another milestone with the love of his life, Mama. Papa and Mama celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary. To some, it might mean just a tradition or a mere commemoration of an event. But to my Papa, it was a celebration of his life spent together with the woman whom he honored, respected, loved and his commitment to his family It warmed my heart when I heard some family and friends sharing the same observation during the renewal of vows ceremony: that Papa couldnt hold his emotions, that he kissed his bride prior to Pastor saying, you may kiss the bride. I cant help but think, this must have been the same excitement he felt fifty years ago when they first said their I dos. I never asked Papa if it was perhaps be a cute manifestation of his nervousness, but knowing him, I believe that the kiss was then a promise of his commitment, but now it was the seal and the joy of its fulfillment
Last week, on June 10, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. he was called Home by His Lord. He was with his wife and myself by his bedside. God is good and we thank Him for giving us that opportunity to say our last farewell before his last breath.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.