Generoso Garcia Tandiama Sr.
December 28, 1958 - August 19, 2024
Obituary
With the utmost sadness and profound shock, | must announce the passing of our most beloved Patriarch of our family; “GENEROSO GARCIA TANDIAMA Sr.”.
Gene (Dodong), began his beautiful journey in his life on this earth by his Late parents and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Juliana (Del Rosario) Garcia and Alfredo Bondoc Tandiama Sr. in Manila, Philippines on December 28, 1958. He tragically succumbed to pneumonia and into the Loving arms of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on August 19, 2024, after a lengthy illness @ St. Ann’s Hospital in Burien, WA.
He was such an honorable, very generous and proud Filipino Gentleman. He was bilingual in several languages.
Gene was raised a devote Catholic, since infancy, He was a congregant for over 35 years @ St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Seahurst, WA. Matter of fact, he married his bride only 3X. They eloped in 1987 in Reno, NV. They received their Sacrament of Marriage in 1993 @ St. Francis of Assisi by Deacon Lloyd Snider. In 2017 they renewed their marital vows on their 30th wedding anniversary, with Father Richard Hayatsu officiating.
Left to mourn him; his most devoted and cherished wife of 37 years: COLLEEN MARIE (DONNELLY) TANDIAMA. His 5 children, who will mourn and miss him dearly: Joselito (JoJo) Tandiama (Gemma) of Toronto, ON., Jocelyn (Tandiama) Brucelas of Manila, PI., Stacy (Ted) Buhrman of Normandy Park, WA., Stephanie Tandiama of Seattle, WA., Generoso (Gerry) M.- D. Tandiama II of Steilacoom, WA. and bonus daughter, Melissa.
Gene has 11 grandchildren, who are his most rewarding joy, especially in his retirement: Danielle T. Tandiama, David Brucelas III, Julianne T. Brucelas, Elliot M. Tandiama, Madison Tandiama, Mateo Popich, Trece Kaiser, Lucas Buhrman, Lora Buhrman, Easton & Generoso (Geo) O.- P. Tandiama III. Gene was a proud Papa to a brand-new great-grandson – Adler! And can’t forget “The Prince Dakota ‘Cody’ Bassett”, who had a special place in Tito’s heart, as well! Oh, How Papa/Tito enjoyed babies & young children.
Gene is also survived by his youngest brother: Angelito (Sonny) Tandiama (Melanie), mother-in-law: Charlene (Oliver) Loback, brother-in-law: Kevin Kazmirski, sister-in-law: Karyn Barnes and the most loyal, fun loving, trustworthy & devoted friend and family member since she was 5 years old to both Gene & Colleen: Kimberly (Kazmirski) Bassett (Daniel) to TITO GENE!
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Several cousins spread out all over the world, too.
Gene is preceded in death by both of his parents, his son; Scott, his eldest brothers Enrique Sr. and Alfredo (Ernestina) Sr., his bother-in-law; Patrick Donnelly and father-in-law; Glenn Donnelly.
Gene received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Manila, PI. in the early 1980’s. After receiving his degree, he immigrated to the USA. He and his new bride were long time independent owners/operators in the ground transportation department @ SeaTac International Airport until 2000. His employment included being at the USPS and OCS. Jack of all trades, he kept busy doing odd jobs for family & friends. Gene retired in 2010.
IF anyone could describe what was Gene’s #1 passion, they all would say “FOOD!” Gene loved being in the kitchen, anybody’s kitchen. He was an excellent cook of all things Asian, not just Filipino foods. Yes, he was very talented at preparing many authentic Filipino dishes. And he despised wasting food. If something was left over, he would “remedy” it the next day. It could end up being an entirely new dish. (And Yes, he LOVED doing the dishes! He Always had to have a clean kitchen before cooking.) He was an excellent BBQ’er, too! He knew how to make Lechon from start to finish. However, he was not a baker in any stretch of the meaning. He could whip up a very mean pan of Leche Flan for Christmas, every year, though. Talk about cholesterol city and extremely high glucose levels in that 1 pan of all this deliciousness!!! Good thing Christmas is only once a year! It was always a huge hit with family and friends.
In his retirement, Gene loved taking short overnight trips with his wife. They enjoyed spending several days at their daughter’s cabin in Hood Canal every year. Going with Kimberly & Danny on a trip to the Oregon Coast. Traveling up to B.C. Canada on many countless day trips. Also, several overnight trips to mainland B.C. Canada, too. Once they were invited to go houseboat camping up on Vancouver Island in 2017 on Sproat Lake in Port Alberni, B.C. Canada by his wife’s 1st cousin. In 2008 they took a much-needed vacation to Las Vegas, NV with Colleen’s Mom and brother Kevin. When it was only 114-F outside! And of course, he enjoyed staying overnight @ the BIG HOUSE up @ Tulalip.
Gene used to tell folks he was IRISH or he was Canadian, just for a fun laugh, Gene was very proud of his wife’s and children’s different heritages. Very International family, they both would say. Gene was extremely proud of his wife’s Native American roots. Also, that she found her paternal family about 25 years ago, in New Brunswick Canada. He felt she was complete knowing where her roots came from. He always was thinking of others.
They took several mini/major vacations when their children were younger, too. Gene just loved traveling anywhere with his wife and children! His 1 dream was to go on vacation to Australia.
Gene had such a passion for all animals. It started with rabbits when their children were small. They had their family Siamese cat, Simon. Onto to the family puppy – Nog-Nog. Then came the grand-dogs: Jazmine and Cracker Jack. Next came chickens. Oh, how Gene was so compassionate for his 6+ chickens he raised. Now, the latest granddog is: Darcy. How he enjoyed and spoiled the granddogs.
The Grand-kitty Kats Tommi & Eve, too! He loved playing, bathing and feeding all the dogs! Always Giving them their treats. He always wanted to play and feed our friends/family’s dogs treats when we visited them, too.
Another one of Gene’s passions was the Longacres and Emerald Downs horse racing tracks. Gene even had one of his 1st dates with his bride to be, on April 1st, 1987 @ Longacres racetrack.
Gene was a very quiet, shy and reserved kinda gentleman. He had strict manners about how he presented himself to others. He really enjoyed people watching down @ the Des Moines Marina, too.
Grief is the Price we pay for Love.
Our Good Lord and Savior has a really good guy with him in heaven. Gene/Babes/Dad/Papa/Tito/Dodong will be so missed here on earth. It is so very hard to phantom him not being here with all of us anymore.
I’ll miss you forever, Dad. -Stay-c
I hope you’re watching over all of us and we make you proud ❤️
My deepest condolences to all of Gene’s family and friends. I’m so sorry we never got to meet, but I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this man and my heart aches for you all. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
I am sorry for your loss Colleen and Stacy. Gene was such a nice man.
My memories were of the beginning of “your” time Colleen. Warms my heart to have known him and your beginning… I am so deeply sorry for your loss!
Our lives will be missing a piece of happiness. I’m so glad to have had you in my life and the love you gave my SS Colleen was the best part. Colleen, Stacy & Gerry my heart grieves for all of you.