Our dearly loved Father, Grandfather, "Poppie", and Husband, Antonio "Tony" Villegas, 94, of Clermont, Florida passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022 and is now reunited with his recently deceased wife of 59 years and our beloved Mother Lourdes Bernadita "Ditas" Villegas.

Born on August 31, 1928 as the son of Eugenia and Sancho Villegas and older sibling to sisters Socoro & Ofelia Villegas (Bautista) in Teresa, Rizal, Philippines, Tony grew up in a rural small-town setting, lived through the Japanese occupation of his town during WWII, and was highly motivated to become a physician due to Socoro's succumbing to smallpox at a pre-school age.  He worked multiple jobs to put himself through college and medical school at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, all to make a better life for his family.   Sleep was a bonus those days as he worked as a night security guard while attending school, somehow finding time to study.

His journey to become a doctor led him to the United States, where he completed residencies in Princeton NJ, Springfield, MA, and Northampton, MA.  When finished, he travelled back home but had the ultimate goal of immigrating to the US full time.  While back in the Philippines in 1962, Tony met Ditas Danao on a blind date set up through mutual friends.  As one of their friends mentioned, "It didn't take long after that your Dad proudly shared how sure he was about his love for your Mom; he didn't waste time to propose to her.  Their true love was obvious through their lifetime.  No doubt, the two are together again.... forever!"

Tony & Ditas married on February 14, 1963 in Manila.  A pathology internship led them to Ottawa, Canada where they started their family with the birth of two daughters.  The young family immigrated for his pathologist roles at the Bronx and Albany, NY VA hospitals, the latter city where their son was born.  Next stop shortly afterwards was a small community hospital lab in Sidney, NY for seven years, before settling in Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PA) as Associate Pathologist through his retirement in 1996.  It was a profession to which he was passionate and loved.

During those years in Pottstown, Tony and Ditas cherished time with friends and family, while also traveling and cruising through the US, Caribbean, Europe, Asia and South America.  They also often visited with his sister Ofie, parents and family in the NY/NJ area.   Summers included numerous extended family pool party weekends at the home compound, with 20+ family and friend overnight guests.

Tony and Ditas moved to Kings Ridge in Clermont FL in 2009 to escape winters and be closer to their son's young family.  They kept in close touch with their daughters and grandchildren and always enjoyed their visits.  As Ditas became more affected by Parkinson's disease, Tony lovingly cared for her full time…himself being in his late 80's and early 90's.  Tony was still sharp; an avid follower of national politics and financial markets.  He was very proud of his children and grandchildren's education, work and life endeavors.  As patriarch to his extended family, he is responsible for sponsoring the new US lives of many Filipino relatives, to which they and their families are forever grateful.

Somewhat suddenly, he died of a heart related incident.  Truly he was heartbroken.  While we are very sad to lose our Dad and Poppie, we take comfort knowing he is back in Mom's arms where they dance again to the tunes of Frank Sinatra and Perry Como in Heaven.

Antonio Villegas is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, his younger sister, and his parents.

He is survived by: his Sister Ofelia Bautista (Ben) of North Bellmore, NY; nephews Benedict and Reginald Bautista (Aurora, CO), and niece Ryna Bautista (N. Bellmore);

Daughter Mary Ellen Villegas Rudel (Theodore), Morristown, NJ and Lake George, NY;

Daughter Nancy Villegas, Greenbrae, CA;

Son Ray Villegas and wife Megan Slate Villegas, Clermont;

Grandchildren Holly Rudel, New Haven CT; Christopher Rudel, Alpharetta, GA; Grace Villegas, and Alexander Villegas, Clermont.

Funeral and Mass is being celebrated in Clermont, FL on Saturday October 29 th , 2022.  Another Mass and celebration will be held near their final resting place in Pottstown, PA in 2023.