Carmelo Palanca Punzalan

Carmelo Palanca Punzalan, also known as Rolando/Rolly, was born on May 25, 1940 in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines, the second of eight children, to Cecilio Punzalan and Candelaria Romasanta Palanca. A chess phenom growing up, he eventually studied mechanical engineering at FEATI University. One day, he entered a classroom where a beautiful and brainy civil engineering student was waiting for class to start. It was love at first sight. He and Celestina Gumabay Narag married on May 19, 1966, and were blessed to make it to their golden wedding anniversary. While Carmelo worked for the Philippine government as a presidential staff officer, he nurtured his wife's book-writing talents, starting a publishing imprint and distributing her business math textbook in colleges all over the country. In 1994, he followed his wife and daughter Jewel to America and made his permanent home in Taylorsville, Utah. Over the next 20 years, he excelled in chess competitions, was a voracious learner, and was fascinated with technological gadgets. His greatest source of pride and joy was following his posterity's many achievements. In the last decade of his life, he battled cancer with humor and tenacity, defying Death several times, thanks to his devoted wife as well as his medical and home health providers. In May 2017, he and his wife braved the journey to the Emerald Isle from which their eldest daughter joined them on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes in France. There, he was repaid with the unparalleled privilege of experiencing exquisite love and care with other pilgrims from all over the world entrusting themselves to the Patroness of the Sick. His fellow pilgrims, impressed by his bravery and expression of faith, given his medical condition, remember him as this "lovely man with great stories and a positive outlook in life." By God's providence, on this month (October) of the holy rosary, which he faithfully prayed every single day throughout his illness, he was called to make his final pilgrimage to the Father's house. Death finally dealt him a checkmate on October 23, 2017, though his spirit will never be defeated. He is survived by his darling wife Celestina; his children Gladys (Tom Brady), Doy (Jayne Avanzado) and Jewel (Drew Allen); as well as grandchildren Lance, Sierra, Wesley and Sabrina. A viewing will be held on Monday, October 30th, 9:30 -11 a.m., followed by a memorialservice at 11:00 a.m., at St. Martin de Porres Parish, 4914 S. 2200 W., Taylorsville. Arrangements under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home. Place of Birth:Mariveles, Bataan, PhilippinesPlace of Death:Salt Lake City, Utah