Today is the one year anniversary of my Father, Daniel Legaspi Senior's death. He was the father of Daniel, Victor, Anna, Gloria, Victoria and Miguel. Born in Mesquital Del Oro, Zacatecas Mexico, he migrated to the United States in his early teens getting a Job at my great Aunts restraunt (Anna's Tamale Parlor) in Redwood City, California. My father tried his very best to do the right thing and show compassion and explanation of his definition of it to us.

Dad was a hard man & very much a disciplinarian who believed in long hours and hard work. He could be stern with his kids and a little aggressive. He was a very good provider to the family and wanted the best from us kids, always striving for our perfection in his own way, the only way he knew how.  His love for us kids was obvious but he had his own unique way of showing it. I didn't always agree with him and perhaps I could have been a little more forgiving. 

Dad had a passion for horses and ranching on his five acres, owning many horses and being a member of 'The Asocition de Charos de Phoenix. He was very proud as he helped construct the Lienzo Charro on 27th Avenue and Baseline road, now known as the Corona Ranch. He was so proud sitting on his horse 'Dandy' way up in his saddle sipping a Budweiser and taking part in the chariada.

A Korean war Veteran, My Dad suffered life threatening severe wounds from seeing combat on the battlefield of Korea for which he was medically retired from the Army, 100% disabled. Pvt. Legaspi was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart, United Nations Korean War Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Korea Medal, Australian Action Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal & Combat Action Badge.  With him he brought home and suffered from PTSD which had no name or diagnosis back in the 50's.  Overcoming those tall emotional battlefield obstacles, he struggled yet pressed on with life and was a successful man, opening a few small businesses but his joy was a machinist which he excelled at in his own machine shop named 'Custom Machining'.

Towards the twilight year of his life we both seemed to find peace with each other. It was his desire to help me open a funeral home in Tucson and insisted that he financially help me. I did and he was very proud of the staff and befriended many of them, including my dearest friend and confidant, Robert Welshimer.

Close to the end of life he seemed to find peace within himself and reached out to his children, admitting regret for his faults in life. His memory fading my Dad passed peacefully on the evening of December 8th, 2019 surrounded by my sisters, my niece and nephew and I.

He is preceded in death by his father Lupe Legaspi, Mother Teresa (Mama Ter) Legaspi, Sister Teresa (Tia Tere) Herrera & Sister Linda Legaspi.

He is sorely missed by all of us and him trying to be there in his own unique way.  My regret in life is that as many times that he reached out to me, I found myself not reaching back at times witch I honestly regret to this day. I love and miss you Dad, thank you for all you did for me. Thank you for teaching me to be the man I am today, through difficult times, I did it and tried my best to make you proud. I hope you found me successful with my life that you gave me. 

I love you, Rest in Peace Papa.