Obituary of Alfred T Tesalona

Alfred “Freddie” Tesalona of New York, NY was born on April 16, 1942 in Tilik, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines.  He passed away on April 29, 2022 at the age of 80.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patty Fineza Tesalona, his 3 daughters, Glenda, Grecia, and Tricia, his sons-in-law, Boying dela Cruz, Joaquin Jonathan Gatdula, Honesto Pagtalunan, and his grandchildren, Zeny Gatdula, Elina Gatdula, Xavier Gatdula, Natalie Pagtalunan, Leilani Gatdula, and Lorenzo Pagtalunan.

Freddie graduated from Philippine Normal College and worked in Meralco before emigrating to the United States in 1975.  After settling in New York City, he worked as a Systems Analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield.  In 1987, he began to live his true life purpose as Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lubang-Looc International (“LLI”).  LLI’s mission has been to award scholarship grants towards higher education to the underprivileged and deserving students of Lubang and Looc.  Freddie worked tirelessly to review applications, find donors for potential scholars, ensure funding, and, most of all, provide moral support and encouragement to all the scholars.  Through LLI, hundreds of scholars have earned college degrees, and are currently living and thriving all around the world. Freddie furthered his commitment to Lubang and served as Vice Mayor for one term.

Freddie will be remembered for socializing and living his best life. His favorite pastimes include fishing, basketball, ping-pong and tennis.  He played online chess everyday, and was excited to find anyone willing to play against him.  He loved playing card games and mahjong with his family and kababayans.  He had endless debates about politics, sports, and current affairs.  Best of all, he loved being a tickle monster, magician, and comedian to his grandchildren. 

Freddie was Sir, Tatay and Ninong to hundreds LLI scholars; Tyo, Uncle, Tito, Kang, Lolo to generations of Finezas, Tividads and Tesalonas; Pare, Vice and Friend to countless of kababayans and neighbors; but most of all, he will always be Dee and Daddy to those who feel blessed to have inherited his dimples and his passions for writing and current events. We are all his legacy here on earth.

To honor Freddie, please consider making a donation towards the Lubang-Looc College Scholarship Association fund in lieu of flowers.

Checks can be mailed to:

Lubang-Looc International

℅ George Maulion

1704 New Hyde Park Road

New Hyde Park, NY 11040

Memo: The Freddie Tesalona Scholarship Fund