Ruperto C. Velarde Jr.
We regretfully announce the passing of Engr. Ruperto C. Velarde, Jr., age 76, of Leesburg, Virginia on October 26, 2022. Ruperto was born on September 21, 1946, in Leyte, Philippines. He enjoyed playing chess with his children and his grandchildren. He graduated from Feati University with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. In his early career, he was involved in various construction projects in the Philippines for the National Housing Authority and Department of Public Works and Highways in Manila, Philippines. There, he met the love of his life and future wife, Mayflor Castillo Rico. The two married in Manila in July 1977. Ruperto and Mayflor moved to the U.S. and lived with his daughter and son-in-law in Leesburg, Virginia after their retirement.
Ruperto was a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and worked as a Civil Engineer in various big construction projects for Saudi Arabia companies like ARAMCO. He loved to read books and all the local newspapers in the Philippines. On his younger years, his favorite pastimes were playing chess, biking, and swimming. Ruperto was also an avid fan of boxing, billiards, and listening to AM stations. In his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time at the casino playing bingo and slots.On a few occasions, he enjoyed sharing his sense of humor with a few lucky strangers, and with his family and friends.
He passed away at home after courageous years of battle with cancer and will be treasured and loved always by his loving wife Mayflor, children Raymond and Mary Grace, grandchildren Ethan, Jace, and Maleah, son-in-law Jasper, daughter-in-law Joy, and his siblings Dr. Iluminada, Amalia, Luz (Baby), nieces and nephews, and all his extended family and friends who were blessed enough to know him. He is now reunited with his parents Ruperto Sr. and Maria Clave, and his other siblings Marcelina, Edilberto, Anacorita, Bernardo, Alejandro, and Felimon in heaven.
The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to Michelle and to other St. John’s volunteers for providing bedside communion every Sunday, his nurses Karen, Melissa, and Mary, and his social worker Julie at Capital Caring for their kindness and compassionate care.