DEGUZMAN, Adolfo Todio, 89, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on February 28, 2023. He was born on June 1, 1933 in Manila, Philippines to the late Anastacio Ramos de Guzman and the late Espirita Todio de Guzman and is predeceased by her sisters, Epifania de Guzman Andaya, Alegria de Guzman Real and Carmen de Guzman Sarmiento. Deguzman served honorably in the United States Navy for twenty years, serving on the USS McCaffrey, USS Niagara Falls, and USS Roosevelt. He served two tours in Vietnam, retiring as a PNC Chief Petty Officer “Personnelman” with numerous decorations including the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal (4), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Combat “V” and 2 bronze stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. As an immigrant, he had great patriotism for his adopted country, the United States, and truly believed in the “American Dream” because he lived it.
Deguzman attended Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines and the University of Maryland, and graduated from Jones College in Jacksonville, FL with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. He was actively involved in the community as a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Filipino Golf Association-Jacksonville (as a founding and charter member), and American Legion Post 129 and Disabled American Veterans where he volunteered as a service officer to help other wounded veterans get service-connected disability benefits. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and in his youth was an amateur competitive boxer and weightlifter. He was a great ballroom dancer, loved fishing and crabbing, bowling, camping, golfing, playing ping pong and watching all sports, especially boxing. A polyglot, he was also an avid reader and excellent writer. He valued education and learning above all else. Most importantly, he was a man who truly loved his family. He often said, “My children are my treasures.” He will be deeply missed and remembered with love. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Lourdes; son, German Deguzman (Jacksonville); and daughters, Diane Wright (Scott), Donna Ferguson (James Anthony “Tony”), Darlene Tan (Jackson) and Denise Senyk (Russell). He is also survived by his 15 beloved grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The Deguzman family welcomes friends at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church (545 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Bch., FL 32082) on March 18, 2023, at 10:30 for a memorial mass with Father Knight as celebrant. Inurnment service will be immediately following the Mass at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery (4750 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32082).
