Arturo Ramos Aquino's Obituary
Arturo Ramos Aquino was born in Manila, Philippines on May 28, 1940, the fourth of five children to Domingo Sr and Magdalena Aquino.
Arturo joined the U.S. Navy in 1960 and soon after, married his high school sweetheart, Naomi. Some time later, they relocated from the Philippines to San Diego where he was stationed. From 1964 to 1967, Art served three tours in Vietnam with a helicopter medevac crew. He was then granted his choice duty station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Art joined the crew of the USS Gudgeon SS-567 and became a Submariner - a title he would wear proudly. He served on several other submarines during his Naval career; USS Salmon SS-573, USS Blueback SS-581, USS Guitarro SSN-665, USS Thomas Jefferson SSBN-618. He also served on the attack transport USS Bayfield APA-33 and the guided missile destroyer USS Preble DDG-46.
In 1974, he transferred back to San Diego and was stationed at Ballast Point, Point Loma. Several years later, after completing 20 years of service, Art retired from the US Navy. As a civilian, he worked for several defense contractors in the San Diego area. He also returned to school to earn a college degree in Culinary Arts.
In 1998, Art and Naomi decided to move to Las Vegas so that Art could pursue a career as a chef. It was while they were living in Las Vegas that Naomi passed away from pancreatic cancer. Art decided to remain in Las Vegas, and continued to work as a Patissier Chef, Garde Manger Chef, Chef Tournant and Executive Chef for a variety of Casinos and Resorts.
Art met Rose Carr in 2003 and fell in love again. After a few years, they moved to San Diego County, settling in Escondido and were married in 2009. They were both known for their culinary experience and decided to open a bakery in San Marcos. “At My Kitchen Cheesecakes and More” was best known for their cheesecakes and cinnamon rolls. Art eventually retired and to fill his time, he volunteered as a Docent at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, a position which he thoroughly enjoyed. He especially appreciated the times he was able to interact with the animals at the park and practice his photography skills.
His other favorite pastime was to ride motorcycles and Art enjoyed riding with groups of people, including with his daughter and her friends. He attended the Laughlin River Run and the Las Vegas Bike Fest on a regular basis. At one point, he decided to buy a CanAm Spyder, and joined the local Spyder Ryders group. They went on many rally rides and interstate trips. Art and Rose would also contribute their time to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, giving children rides on their Spyder during the Foundation’s Ride For Kids motorcycle ride charity event. In his retirement, Art became an active participant with the Patriot Guard Riders. He supported the PGR’s mission to ensure the “dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and honorably discharged Veterans.” His calendar was often filled with PGR dates to provide an escort for a hero’s memorial or funeral service.
Arturo was a kind hearted, conscientious, loyal, fun-loving, cheerful and easy going person. He cared about everyone and loved doing things for them. He enjoyed making people laugh and having them feel comfortable around him. He loved to cook for people and enjoyed creating menus for family events. He was known to be a hard worker and always had to be doing something; his hands were rarely idle. Art passed away peacefully on the evening of May 31, 2023, after spending over a year in the hospital. His dynamic presence will be missed.
Art is preceded in death by his parents, Domingo Sr. and Magdalena Aquino, his brothers Dominador, Ricardo and Domingo Jr., his sister, Aurora, his first wife, Naomi, and many uncles, aunts and cousins.
He is lovingly remembered by those who survive him, including his wife, Rose; his daughter Aileen; his grandson Dillon; his sister-in-law Myrna Aquino; his nephews Ernand Aquino (wife Nelly), Ricky Aquino (wife Edith), and Michael Aquino; his nieces Amina Anne Amin, Maria Leah Orola (husband Alfred), Jenifer Aquino, Kathy Belgrave (husband Adrian); his bonus-children Wayne Sullivan (wife Carmen), Larry Sullivan (wife Cynthia) and Dana Gripkey (husband Andrew); his bonus-grandchildren Kylani, Makana, Naomi, Ethan, Dennis and Willow; bonus-great-grandchildren Axel and Cash. He was also very close with his extended family, his uncle Ben Avincula; his cousins Rolando Ramos (wife Floy), Laurie Anonas, Ron Bass; his nephews Ishmael Estrada (wife Eleanor), Marc Estrada (wife Shirlee), David Estrada (wife Terri), John Estrada, Justin Anonas (partner Fe Marie), Adam Anonas, and Frolly Ramos; his nieces Rowena Chan (husband Marty), Alison Kofford (husband Michael), Naomi Reed (husband Paul), Hana Martinez (husband Alex), Dana Marson (husband Connor), and Janely Nguyen (husband Nick); his grandnephews and grandnieces Ayesha, Yazi, Lia, Arsalan, Clarisse, Steven, Jao, Michelle, Isabella, Mikhael, Micah, Mikee, Mikoh, Ian, Lowell, Ilyssa, Korinne, Jansen, Katharine, Dylan, Mitchell, Kyle, PJ, Matthew, Stephanie, and Nathan; his great-grandnieces and greatgrandnephews Kai, Kadyn, Grayson, Siena, Evan, Ari, Jordyn; and also the many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews living far and wide. Finally, his memory of service, loyalty, fidelity and love will live on with all of the friends he made throughout the years, including friends at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Spyder Ryders of America and all of the people who also considered him their “Uncle”, “Papa”, “Kuya” or “Dad”.
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