Rizal Fuerte Ancheta

Rizal Fuerte Ancheta went home to be with the Lord on June 26, 2013. Born in Ilocos Norte in the Philippines on September 16, 1943, Rizal grew up with his mother, sisters, and brothers in Laoag after his father was recruited to work in the plantation fields of the Hawaiian Islands in 1946. He graduated from Manila's MIT – Mapúa Institute of Technology – in 1968 with a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering. His degree would serve him the rest of his life, beginning with a civil project in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to build a bridge, then a house for his mother and family, both of which still stand today.
In 1970 Rizal emigrated to Hawaii and reunited with his father. Soon after arriving, two of his cousins introduced him to their friend, Lucia Mostoles. By 1971 Rizal and Lucia married, then welcomed their first child, Randy. Their daughter, Ruby, and second son, Ryan, soon followed.
After living a few years in Hawaii, Rizal moved his young family to the mainland, relocating in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Through the referral of a friend, the family began attending the First United Methodist Church of Wilmington, where they made lifelong friends. During these early years, Rizal worked various jobs, but fell back on his civil engineering degree. For many years, he was a licensed self-employed general building contractor. From the plumbing to the framing, the electrical wiring to the stucco, he had a hand in repairing, remodeling, and building homes throughout the Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He often helped family and friends in their home repairs and improvements. In the 1990s he converted a bungalow in Carson to a two-story house, which he resided in until his death.
Rizal was forced to retire early because of his failing kidneys. For some years he went through dialysis, which limited his traveling. With prior arrangements at local dialysis centers, he attended his eldest son's wedding in Sacramento, then later traveled to Arizona to meet his first grandchild after her birth. In late 1999 the parents of a young girl made the ultimate sacrifice to donate her organs for transplant after her death. The gift of her kidney made it possible for Rizal to live many more years. He was blessed to witness his daughter's wedding and the birth of his other grandchildren, visit his ailing parents in the Philippines before their deaths, and experience many, many other events. Rizal will always be remembered for his handiwork and generosity, his enjoyment of casinos and poker, and his uncanny ability to locate a donut shop – without the use of GPS – wherever he traveled to visit a relative or friend overnight for his daily morning cup of coffee and newspaper.
Rizal is preceded in death by his parents, Catalino & Coleta Ancheta, his sister Matilde Salvador and her husband Felix, and his brother Florencio Ancheta. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Lucia; his children and their spouses Randy & Amanda Ancheta, Ruby & Emery Sagrado, and Ryan Ancheta; his grandchildren, Kamyrn, Lauryn, & Madelyn Ancheta and Elijah, Emma Lynn, & Emmanuel Sagrado; his siblings and their spouses, Erlinda & Crisostomo Salanga, Napoleon & Natividad Ancheta; his sister-in-law Julie Ancheta; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 9:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:00pm on Friday, July 5, 2013, both at Green Hills Memorial Chapel, Rancho Palos Verdes. A reception in Carson follows the services on Friday.
Flowers should be delivered to Green Hills Mortuary by 4:00pm on Wednesday, July 3rd, to be set up in time for the visitation. Flowers may be ordered through Rancho Palos Verdes Flowers: (310) 750-6480, www.ranchopvflowers.com . (Mention the order is for "The Ancheta Family.")



Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275