HOME PAGE
|
Friday, February 04, 2000
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Designer of Chinese Pavilion at Disney attraction dead at 59
By Tanya Flanagan
Review-Journal
Rafael Caballero, a retired architect who designed the Chinese Pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center and traveled the country doing community service work to empower Filipinos in Southern Nevada, died Sunday at Valley Medical Center from heart problems. He was 59.
Caballero was born Dec. 5, 1940 in Iliolo City, Philippines, and attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where he earned a bachelor's degree in architecture.
He came to the United States in 1965 and married his lifelong love, Remy Rigor, Aug. 5, 1967 in Chicago. The couple spent 10 years in the Midwest before moving to Redlands, Calif., and then to Las Vegas in 1991.
Caballero's daughter, Judi McFarland, said her father was always willing to sacrifice for his family.
"My mom decided she wanted to be in California, so my dad followed her, and then she decided she wanted to be in Las Vegas and he followed her again. He was happy as long as he was with her," McFarland said.
Caballero had numerous civic affiliations, including a membership with the Knights of Columbus Council 10442, St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church Choir and the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society.
He also was chairman of the board of trustees for the Philippine American Youth Organization, treasurer of the Confederation of Filipino American Organizations of Nevada, executive director of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and member of the Knights of Rizal.
Rozita Villanueva Lee, chairwoman of the Asian Pacific Forum and a friend of Caballero, described him as "truly dedicated to his community work."
Caballero was also described as an avid golfer who played the game with his son, Jay, whenever he could.
He also loved singing and listening to classical music, McFarland said.
Along with McFarland, Jay Caballero and his wife, Remy, Caballero is survived by a daughter, Jennifer, of Las Vegas; sisters, Carmen of Chicago, Nena Rodriguez of San Francisco, Aurora Esteban, Gloria Silverio and Adelina Escueta, all of the Philippines; brother, Emil of the Philippines; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 30 minute break beginning 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church, 7260 W. Sahara Ave. Services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the church. The family has asked that donations be sent to the church.
E-mail this story to a friend:
Give us your FEEDBACK on this or any story.
BEST OF LAS VEGAS
Fill out our Online Readers' Poll
|
Printable version of this story
Rafael Caballero
|
