Constantino Chua Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Obituary In loving memory, just 4 months shy of his 85th trip around the sun, Constantino (“Tony”) P. Chua, age 84 passed away peacefully on November 11, 2021. Born on March 11, 1937, in Cebu City, Philippines to Ki Kay “Francisco” and Rosalia (Sy) Chua. He was the second eldest amongst his 12 siblings. Proud of his Filipino/Chinese heritage, “Tony Boy” loved sharing stories of his modest upbringing in Cebu, attending Cebu Eastern Chinese School, helping in his parents’ furniture store, etc. Instilled by his parents at an early age, Tony knew the value of a formal education. With his insatiable curiosity about the workings of this world, it is fitting that he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from the Cebu Institute of Technology. With both his innate and new found discipline, Tony bravely ventured to San Francisco to become a “self-made man”. He was fond of recounting his San Francisco arrival, passing under the Golden Gate Bridge with $20 dollars in his pocket. Luckily his dear Tia Dolly (Dolores Santos) awaited and welcomed him into her San Francisco home. It was there, at a dinner party, where Tony met Tia Dolly’s friend/co-worker from SF General Hospital, Monina Manuel Sanchez. On January 23, 1965, Tony married his beloved, Monina and together they realized the American Dream. Tony was an accomplished electrical engineer and “retired” as Head of Electrical and Instrumentation for Spreckels Sugar, a division of Amstar, culminating a 30-year tenure. He is a credited contributor to a History of Beet Sugar Technology, including a patent invention under his name. Tony wasn’t one to sit still, and his retirement was short-lived. He went on to hang his own shingle and developed a successful consulting business with an impressive client-base including Pacific Gas & Transmission and Bayer Biopharmaceutical. Tony designed sophisticated control systems effortlessly. Tony had an inquisitive, keen mind and would be aptly described as a thinker. He was an observer of life and challenged the status quo. Many a family and friend can fondly recall lively and sometimes heated discussions around the kitchen table, pondering life’s many mysteries. Tony also enjoyed humor and had a repertoire of jokes he loved to tell, repeatedly. When it came to fixing things, Tony could fix ANYTHING and was affectionately referred to as our MacGyver. When he wasn’t working or fixing things, Tony was an avid photographer as our family historian and an ardent TV fan of Sci-Fi (Star Trek!), spaghetti Westerns (John Wayne!), Dirty Harry, Kung Fu and Hogan’s Heroes. A favorite pastime outside of the home, was on the dance floor with his ever graceful partner, Monina, where together they showcased their synergy as the dynamic dancing duo with their expert renditions of the Waltz, Fox Trot, Cha Cha and their most masterful showpiece, the Tango. Tony was a loving dad to his daughters Margaret “Gigi” and Marie. He also was an adoring grandpa who doted on his grandsons Michael, Ben and Noah. Tony is now reunited in heaven with his cherished wife, Monina, parents, Francisco and Rosalia, aunt, Dolores, sister, Estelita, and brother, Albert. Tony is survived by his daughters, Margaret (Gigi) Chua Sanchez and Marie Cross, son-in-law, Scott Cross, sisters, Anesia Mendoza, Leticia Uy, Maria Lourdes Yasmer, Teresa Spry, Carmencita Uy, Virginia Tayag, brothers, Rodolfo Chua, Felipe Chua, Manuel Chua, grandsons, Michael Chua, Ben and Noah Cross and his many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Tony’s life will be on Monday, November 29th beginning with a vigil (11am) and mass (12 noon) at St. David of Wales Catholic Church located at 5641 Esmond Avenue, Richmond CA 94805. Interment (2pm) at Queen of Heaven Cemetery located at 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, CA 94549. Please join us immediately following to share a meal of his favorite cuisine at Yan’s Garden restaurant located at 2223 Morello Avenue, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Constantino Chua, please visit our floral store.

Constantino Chua

March 11, 1937 - November 11, 2021