[Oe List ...] Completed life of Abe Ulangca

[Tim Wegner]

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