ADS E. DIAZ: A Community Pillar Passes Away
By Dan E. Nino
Community leader Abelardo E. Diaz popularly known by his nickname Ads, passed away on April 11 at his Northridge home which was converted as his hospice. He was 83, short of two weeks before turning 84. This was announced by her eldest child, Dr. Mariver Diaz-Tapawan, a dermatologist.
An engineer by profession, Ads was a former executive vice president of Landloil Corporation headed by his cousin, the former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. Mr. Diaz also became the right hand man of the Landoil’s top honcho in the company’s Engineering Division in Libya and Saudi Arabia. After his stint with Landoil and Basic Petroleum, an affiliate of Landoil, he immigrated to the U.S. in early 1980s and became active with several Fil-am community organizations including FACLA and UP Alumni Association.
In the Philippines, Mr. Diaz was active in politics in Dagupan, Pangasinan. He was a barangay Councilor of San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City and also active in the Lions Club in Quezon City where he became an officer.
He was a professor of Engineering at the University of Pangasinan while he was also having a career in geodetic and civil engineering in Pangasinan and Manila.
A religious person, he opened a Cursillo House in Bulacan province, Philippines where he delivered Cursillo lectures.
Also an entrepreneur at heart, he opened a business and had properties in the Philippines such as the Montevista Subdivision and Divine Providence Farm. In Southern California, he was the CEO of A&A Construction and Surverying company and was able to help a number of his employees with their immigration status through his business. For a while, he was a publisher of a local Fil-Am newspaper.
Mr. Diaz who was often kidded around because of his towering height at over 6 feet, graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Far Eastern University then took Geodetic Engineering at the University of the Philippines.
He founded the Greater Dagupan Association of California, became its president and eventually president of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA in 2006-2007. He was one of PB-USA’s Ten Outstanding Entrepreneurs of Pangasinan in Southern California in 2010 during the presidency of Dan E. Nino.
Ads Sr. was born on April 27, 1936 in Dagupan City. He was married to his first wife, Purificacion Maramba and had 5 Children with her but later divorced. He then remarried to second wife, Vener Lineses and had a son, John Abel Jr.
He is survived by his wife Vener L. Diaz and six children: Dr. Mariver Diaz-Tapawan, Engr. Gilber Diaz, John Felix-Diaz, Grace Marie D. Bautista, John Leonardo Diaz and John Abel Diaz, Jr. , 13 grandchildren and three great grandkids. Many observers reveal that Mr. Abelerado Diaz was a very kind father and a loving and generous person until he passed away due to heart conditions.
Funeral services will take place on April 21 starting with a Holy Rosary at 9 a.m. then a viewing at 9:30 a.m. and a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mel Catholic Church in Woodland Hills, California from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. interment will follow at San Fernando Mission Catholic Cemetery. Contact persons are daughter Mariver at 818-268-2482 and wife Vener at 818-891-0974. – denino1951@gmail.com