Eduardo de Leon

Eduardo Arriola de Leon was born on December 19, 1954 in Cebu City, Philippines to retired AFP Quartermaster General Colonel Buenaventura R. De Leon and Gliceria Arriola. He is the 7th among 11 children - 6 boys and 5 girls. His siblings are Wilfredo (deceased), Buenaventura, Jr., Clemen, Josefa, Rosario, Erlinda, Milagros, Rodolfo, Carolina and Renato.

Called Eddie for short, he was educated by the Society of Divine Word priests from the University San Carlos Cebu from elementary, high school and college. He was Captain of the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in college and pursued to become a 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Army – Reserved Command. He graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), and is a Licensed Mechanical Engineer. He joined the Cebu office of the multi-national Union Carbide as a Sales Representative assigned to the provinces of Leyte and Samar.

In October 1981, he married Primitiva "Memie" Formentera who was an Industrial Engineer at the Philippine Welding Equipment Inc. Their marriage is blessed with four daughters – Dianne Margaret, Elizabeth, Kristina Rae, Marie Angela, who are all health professionals; and a son, Clint Edward.

To seek better work opportunities, Eddie migrated to the United States of America and was trained as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). He has been a dedicated employee at RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale, Illinois for over 20 years.

A devout Catholic, Eddie attended Sunday mass regularly. He never complained and carried through life's challenges with courage and determination. His family will miss a cheerful, soft-spoken, generous, and kind person whose heart is bigger than his smile. His work colleagues will miss having a light-hearted, hardworking and compassionate comrade.

Eddie turned 65 years old last December 2019. Eternal rest grant unto him. May his soul Rest in Peace.