‘Pat’ Ganio, Filipino WWII vet rights leader, fades away

WWII Filvets leader Patricio “Pat” Ganio passed away June 15 in his home in Jacksonville, Florida. AP PHOTO

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Filipino World War II veteran Patrick “Pat” Ganio, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, June 15, in his home in Jacksonville.

According to his daughter, Tessie G. Dulano, a retired nurse, Ganio died of complications from pneumonia. He was 98.

His family is planning to hold the funeral and burial in Jacksonville. Details later on: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/jacksonville-fl/hardage-giddens-riverside-memorial-park-funeral-home

Pat Ganio (extreme right) with Filipino veterans’ advocates and President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton. MANILA MAIL

Ganio was captured and taken prisoner after the Fall of Corregidor in May 1942 and survived a brutal interment at the O’Donnell concentration camp in Capas, Tarlac. He later joined USAFFE guerillas, was wounded in battle and later promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

He emigrated to Washington, DC in the 1980s and started researching on the claims of Filipino WWII veterans at the National Archives and the Library of Congress.

Ganio with Pres. George W. Bush.MANILA MAIL

Ganio organized the Filipino War Veterans Inc. and founded the Filipino Veterans Families Foundation Inc. He was part of the decades-long lobby for US recognition of the Filipino veterans’ gallant contributions to the defense of liberty and American democracy.

(More of Ganio’s biography at https://filamheroes.tripod.com/id4.html)

“Pat’s life was truly amazing. He had a loving family and a successful teaching career after surviving as a WW2 POW after the battles of Bataan and Corregidor,” said veterans advocate Eric Lachica. “We who knew this kind, humble and inspiring hero, were truly blessed.”