Nemesio Cava Jr

Nemesio Cava Jr. was born in the Philippines in the province of Zambales. He was the youngest of 11 children. He had fond memories of his early youth in the Philippines often recalling swimming in the ocean and greeting the American soldiers after the war with "Hi Joe" as some of them showered the kids with candies and treats. As he grew up, his siblings one by one started immigrating to the US, most through US military service. Often at the receiving end of gifts from his siblings coming home to visit, he could have continued a very carefree life, until meeting his future bride by chance. His cousin came to visit one day on the way to a wedding which was near his home. The cousin was traveling with his wife and a friend. The friend's name was Nieves. It was love at first sight. He continued to court Nieves until they wed May 9, 1965. He was working as an accountant at a general auditing office at the time. Soon after, they had their first child and within 5 years had 3 children. Sometime after their second child, Nemesio decided to immigrate to the US. It would mean leaving his new family behind but it would be for what they called back then as the "green pasture". Whatever the name, it was for a better future for his wife and children for which he now wanted nothing but the best for. So in 1969, while Nieves was pregnant with their third child, Nemesio left the Philippines for the US. He lived with his cousin in Jersey City, NJ working as an accountant in NYC while he waited for the petition to bring his family over to be approved. Finally, in 1973 his wife was able to immigrate but by herself. It was another 2 years before the children could come. He was finally reunited with his family completely in September 1975, his eldest being 9 years old. They moved to Passaic Park, NJ in 1977, where they lived until moving to Plano, TX in 1988, when JCPenney's, where Nieves worked, relocated their corporate office. They went on many road trips while living in NJ, often to visit family who were scattered all over the continent, from Minnesota, to Canada, to Philadelphia, to California and Florida. He was legendary when it came to directions sometimes recalling detailed streets and landmarks visiting some place for the second time years after being there the first time. Family was very important to him but so were the many friends they met both in NJ and Texas. As his children grew and married, he became increasingly active in the Filipino and Catholic communities and organizations. Always side by side with his wife, they were active in Couples for Christ, FilAm Catholics of Dallas, PRDC as board member, GIFT Prayer Group, as usher for St. Elizabeth, Mabuhay Filipino Folk Dance group as dancer, monthly Filipino masses as lead coordinators, annual Christmas Simbang Gabi Novenas as lead coordinators, weekly Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena as lead coordinators. All the while attending numerous parties, galas, and dances, where it was found that he was also a legend on the dance floor, tango and boogie, being his two favorite dances, later to be rivaled by line dancing. Often times lady friends lining up to dance with him. When not busy with organizations, he loved to fish, golf, and most of all garden. Vegetables often made it into his wife's cooking. And flowers and ponds were abounding in his garden. Friends and family who would come to their home would wonder how being in his garden somehow reminded them of the Philippines. They also loved to travel. Once retired, they traveled to Egypt, Rome and many other places in Europe. By his 75th birthday, his 3 children had married and between them, Nemesio had 9 grandchildren ranging in ages from 17 to 5. Which leads to his best talent of all. He was so loved by all his grandchildren; often just the thought of Grandpa brought a smile to their faces. He loved to carry them as they were babies and he loved to sit them on his lap on the swing and many times he pulled them on the wagon as they got bigger. As they got old enough to talk, he often teased them and joked with them. To the very end, when the illness was already resulting in some pain and he was already very tired, the one thing that could always put a smile on his face was the sight of a grandchild. His very last moments were spent not just with his wife and children and children's spouses, but also with all his 9 grandchildren all around him. He was surrounded and showered with overwhelming love as he finally left us to rest in peace. Nemesio is survived by his wife Nieves Cava, children Norayda Humphrey and her husband Russell, Nelson Cava and his wife Alona, Nemesio Cava, III and his wife Kaima, grandchildren Frances, Leonard and Claire Humphrey, Rachel, Nichole and Zachary Cava, Kaitlin, Matthew and Kristine Cava, brother Eugene Cava and sister Juanita De los Reyes. A vigil will be held Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 7:00 at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75023. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, October 16, 2015 at 10:30 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Father Bruce Bradley officiating.