[Dialogue] Abe's own story -- e-mail version

[Janice & Abe Ulangca]

With a slight rearrangement of paragraphs to fit obituary style, this is now up on the funeral home web site, with Abe's picture, at  www.demunn.com   But here's the e-mail version.  Sorry I didn't know the new dialogue won't transmit attachments - was just told by one of the administrators.  The following will be printed in the bulletin for his memorial service celebration Saturday at 11 a.m.
Janice

Abe's Own Story of his Life

 

The following account was written by Abe several months ago.  Only a few lines have been added.

 

Born in the Philippines, Abe survived the Japanese occupation of the islands, and after the war was employed by the U.S. Army Signal Corps.  He joined the Manila Bureau of the Associated Press and installed the first trans-Pacific radiophoto equipment for them. Abe came to the U.S. in 1964 to finish his engineering degree at West Virginia University, and worked for the various phases of General Precision, Singer Link Simulation and CAE in Binghamton, from where he retired in 1990.

 

In 1974, Abe was granted a sabbatical to work with The Institute of Cultural Affairs, a worldwide organization working with communities and organizations with emphasis on the human factor.  His wife, Janice, and Abe have been actively engaged in various programs and projects of ICA, including travel to many places in the U.S. and to Taipei, Mexico City and Prague.  Abe served on the National Board of Directors of ICA-US for several years.

 

Abe was an active member of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Vestal, NY. where he was involved with the choir and young people, served with various committees of the church, and was church treasurer for several years.  He was also active with the Wyoming Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving on the Committee on Episcopacy, Council of Finance and Administration, and the Human Resources Table.

 

Abe relished the simple gifts of life that were available to him.  He enjoyed cracking jokes, and was not above telling a pun.  He thoroughly loved singing and joined as many groups as he could.  There was a time in the Philippines when he had a choir rehearsal every night of the week, including one with the Press Club boys which had to be held after midnight, after the papers were put to bed.  Abe loved games -- bowling, chess, word games (Scrabble and Upwords) and any card games that he could learn.  After he could no longer bowl, he concentrated on increasing his reading activities.  Visits to the Vestal Farmer's Market and flower photography continued to be a pleasure.

 

Abe died August 23, 2004 after struggling several years with heart, diabetes, and renal failure problems.  He is survived by his wife, Janice; a brother Samuel Ulangca and wife Ofelia in Fullerton, Calif.; a sister Thelma U. Rodriguez and husband Ambrose in Manila, Philippines; a sister Esther U. de los Santos and husband Virgilio in Chiangmai, Thailand; a brother Marcelo Ulangca, Jr. and wife Lee in Quezon City, Philippines; a sister-in-law Jeanine Seckman and husband Ron in Littleton, Colorado; a special "adopted" sister JoAnne Maniago, Binghamton; and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents and three brothers.  

 

Abe and Janice wish to express great appreciation for the support, skill, and even the terrible jokes, of the Home Dialysis staff at Binghamton General Hospital --  especially Dr. F. Keith Kennedy, Cindy Gaughan, and Darlene Foster.  According to Abe's wishes, his body has been donated to Upstate Medical Center for use in educating medical students.  He said, "If they can make use of any of this old body, that's great!"

 

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary UMC, 3505 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY 13850.  Arrangements directed by DeMunn Funeral Home.

 

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Abe & Janice Ulangca
3413 Stratford Drive
Vestal, NY  13850
607-797-4595
aulangca at stny.rr.com
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