Roque Cepeda Aguon Obituary (1937

With all the fire in his soul and will to persevere, Roque Cepeda Aguon raged against the dimming of his light for months until his final moments when he could fight no longer. He passed away serenely in his sleep - at home, surrounded by his children - in the predawn hours of April 3, 2024. The beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather was 86 years old. Roque is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 64 years, Balbina Taisipic Aguon, and his daughter, Elizabeth Wiles, as well as his parents. He is survived by his six remaining children and their spouses, Anita Marshall (Eugene), Roque Aguon, Jr., Rosalind Mack (Lawrence), Lourdes Deszell (Robert), Elizabeth's surviving husband, Brian Wiles, Patricia Pablo (John), and Nieves Wright (Chad). He is also survived by his 21 grandchildren (five by marriage), 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family members. Roque was born on August 28, 1937, to Bernabe and Ana Cepeda Aguon. He grew up in Yona, Guam, and met Balbina at a young age. They would spend their youth falling in love before marrying in the summer of 1959. Roque served in the US Navy beginning in 1956, and Balbina raised the family they had always intended to have. Within three years of their marriage, Anita, Roque, Jr. and Rosalind were born, giving them the first trio of what would become seven children. Roque's naval career brought them to Bremerton, WA, down to San Diego, CA, followed by a return to Guam and several duty stations along the east coast. The births of Lourdes, Elizabeth and Patricia gave them a second trio by 1969. The family settled in Norfolk, VA, for many years, but Roque had always loved the magnificence of the Pacific Northwest and vowed to return if he were ever able. Nieves, the final of the Aguon children, was born in 1980. Three years later, Roque made good on his wish and returned the family to Bremerton. The US Navy awarded Roque the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (3 Bronze Stars), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal for his service. Roque was also honored with the Navy Good Conduct Medal (four times) and the Gallantry Cross with Palm and achieved the rank of SK1. He retired from active duty in 1976 and began work for the Department of Defense and would spend the next 24 years serving his country as a computer specialist. Roque was a man of many interests including bowling and fishing, and he had a special affinity for driving and just cruising with Balbina. More than anything, he loved watching the family they created grow throughout the years. He could often be found sitting quietly and observing the activity of their house on Tuesday night dinners, BBQ weekends, and holidays. No raucous, no amount of commotion from the grandchildren and great-grandchildren ever appeared to bother him. In fact, he was happiest when their home was filled with activity. Balbina passed away suddenly in May 2023, and Roque was left to move forward without her company for the first time in more than 63 years. Carrying on would prove to be even more difficult than imagined as his own health began to decline just six months later. Roque would spend his last several months battling various ailments, which included multiple long hospital stays and surgeries. Throughout the ordeal, he never stopped fighting to return permanently to his family he loved so dearly. He stated repeatedly his only remaining wish was to return home. He did just that, days before his passing, when he elected to continue his fight in the house that he and Balbina had called home for the last 40 years. He finally succumbed to his illnesses after a valiant fight. He will be remembered by his family for his beautiful smile, his unique sense of humor, his appreciation and love for his grandchildren, and his sentimentality for trinkets and small treasures that were special for reasons known only to him. Friends and extended family are welcome to join the family for a Catholic funeral mass at Holy Trinity Church in Bremerton, WA, on Thursday, May 2, beginning at 11 a.m. A rosary will precede the services, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Roque will be inurned, and his remains laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery, where he will be reunited with his lifelong love, Balbina. Arrangements are entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel in Bremerton, WA.