Filemon Ambrosio Dacanay

FILEMON DACANAY

Land surveyor emigrated from Philippines

Longtime Todt Hill resident Filemon Dacanay, a retired land surveyor, died Friday, Oct 6, 2006 in Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, Staten Island where he had been a resident for 18 months.

Filemon was born in the Philippines and earned his engineering degree there. In 1979 he moved from the country's capital, Manila, to Staten Island, NY. He was a land surveyor in the Philippines and worked for several years in the same field after moving to Staten Island.

Filemon was intellectually curious and a voracious reader. He could converse easily on many different topics because of his love for books and thirst for knowledge. He also enjoyed graphic arts and did painting and sketches. Filemon enjoyed collecting unusual items, including everything from pens to matches, various gadgets and would give freely from his collections to family members and friends. He was a quiet man, generous and helpful. He was a father to everybody, more than just his family, to everybody he knew.

Surviving Filemon are his wife of 66 years, the former Celedonia Tarectecan; his sons, Val (Willie) and Xylph; his daughter, Cyd Fulgencio and Nancy Racelis; a sister, Rebecca Chan; seven grandchildren, (Richard Aric Racelis, Richmond Axel Racelis, Ricter Allen Racelis, Audrey Dacanay, Richie Ann Racelis, Cristina Fulgencio & Hope Fulgencio); a great-grandson, (Robbie Adrian Racelis) and a great-granddaughter, (Franceska Racelis).

Funeral services was held at Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners. He was buried on October 10, 2006 in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp following a short prayer offering by his nephew, Deacon Albert Dacanay.