Obituary for Jesse Abuel deVilla
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Dr Jesse Abuel deVilla. Dr deVilla was born May 15,1929 in Lucban, Quezon, Philippines. He was predeceased by his parents, Victor and Elpedia, his brothers, Levy and Victor Emmanuel and his sister, Carmen.
Dr deVilla is survived by his devoted wife, Margarita, children Jessica (Humphrey) Chang, Jessamel deVilla and Jesse (Jackie) deVilla, grandchildren Jasmine (Sergio) Szyrko, Benjamin (Alex) Anderson, Nicole (Zachary) Campbell, Geoffrey (Sami) Chang, and Alexander and Elizabeth deVilla and great-grandchildren Gianna and Ella Szyrko and Grayson and Marston Campbell.
Dr deVilla completed medical school at Manilla Central University in 1958. He emigrated from the Philippines in 1958 to continue his medical training. He completed his internship in Worcester, Massachusetts at UMass Memorial Medical Centre. He next completed a Family Practice specialty at Community General Hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania. He spent 3 years working in Family Practice in New York City at St John’s General Hospital. In 1963, he accepted a position in Montreal at St Justine Children’s Hospital. It was here, by pure and divine intervention, he rekindled his love affair with his beloved Mahal, Margie. Montreal is where he began his training in Anesthesia. This would be his life’s passion. One year later, his career took him, along with Margie, to work at the Victoria General in Halifax. Along this journey, so many precious and lifelong friendships were formed.
In 1967, Dr deVilla made the decision to move the family, now with 6-month-old Jesse Junior, to Grand Falls-Windsor. A 6-month position turned into 36 years of dedicated service to the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre. He and the family assimilated to Newfoundland Culture. The similarities between the Filipino and Newfoundland people were comforting touchstones. The focus on family, faith, and community were shared values. Dr deVilla embraced the Newfoundland outdoors. Cabin life, hunting, and ski-dooing were dearly loved pastimes.
Dr deVilla devoted his time to his patients. Evening visits back to the hospital, early morning visits pre-surgery and late-night post-surgery visits were his hallmark to excellence in patient care.
Dr deVilla was an honorary lifetime member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association. He was a former President of the Central Newfoundland Medical Staff. He was also a founding member of the Filipino Associations of Montreal and Newfoundland.
Since his retirement in 1994, Jesse and Margie enjoyed an amazing retirement. They were privileged to visit 4 continents and 48 countries. They spent time at their cabin, building things, growing things, and hosting friends and family.
Dr deVilla was a respected member of the Filipino community. He was an advisor and mentor to countless Filipinos who immigrated to Canada through Newfoundland, many of whom chose to stay because of his influence and example, enriching the community.
Never forgetting his Filipino roots, as evidenced at the cabin, Dr deVilla proudly flew the Canadian flag but just below, flew the Filipino flag. He loved the music, the food, and the dancing, and he proudly shared this with his friends and grandchildren.
Dr deVilla was a proud physician and a devoted friend. He had the most unique gift to transcend race and status. He met people as and where they were. He would have the most meaningly and genuine conversations with anyone he met. He saw you for who you were and gifted you with the utmost respect.
With the utmost pride we say “pa-alam na aking mahal” to our devoted and loving husband, strong and supportive father, inspiring and caring grandfather, and admirable and loyal friend.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Julia Caines of Central Funeral Homes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to South & Central Health Foundation or the Lionel Kelland Hospice.
Dr deVilla is survived by his devoted wife, Margarita, children Jessica (Humphrey) Chang, Jessamel deVilla and Jesse (Jackie) deVilla, grandchildren Jasmine (Sergio) Szyrko, Benjamin (Alex) Anderson, Nicole (Zachary) Campbell, Geoffrey (Sami) Chang, and Alexander and Elizabeth deVilla and great-grandchildren Gianna and Ella Szyrko and Grayson and Marston Campbell.
Dr deVilla completed medical school at Manilla Central University in 1958. He emigrated from the Philippines in 1958 to continue his medical training. He completed his internship in Worcester, Massachusetts at UMass Memorial Medical Centre. He next completed a Family Practice specialty at Community General Hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania. He spent 3 years working in Family Practice in New York City at St John’s General Hospital. In 1963, he accepted a position in Montreal at St Justine Children’s Hospital. It was here, by pure and divine intervention, he rekindled his love affair with his beloved Mahal, Margie. Montreal is where he began his training in Anesthesia. This would be his life’s passion. One year later, his career took him, along with Margie, to work at the Victoria General in Halifax. Along this journey, so many precious and lifelong friendships were formed.
In 1967, Dr deVilla made the decision to move the family, now with 6-month-old Jesse Junior, to Grand Falls-Windsor. A 6-month position turned into 36 years of dedicated service to the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre. He and the family assimilated to Newfoundland Culture. The similarities between the Filipino and Newfoundland people were comforting touchstones. The focus on family, faith, and community were shared values. Dr deVilla embraced the Newfoundland outdoors. Cabin life, hunting, and ski-dooing were dearly loved pastimes.
Dr deVilla devoted his time to his patients. Evening visits back to the hospital, early morning visits pre-surgery and late-night post-surgery visits were his hallmark to excellence in patient care.
Dr deVilla was an honorary lifetime member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association. He was a former President of the Central Newfoundland Medical Staff. He was also a founding member of the Filipino Associations of Montreal and Newfoundland.
Since his retirement in 1994, Jesse and Margie enjoyed an amazing retirement. They were privileged to visit 4 continents and 48 countries. They spent time at their cabin, building things, growing things, and hosting friends and family.
Dr deVilla was a respected member of the Filipino community. He was an advisor and mentor to countless Filipinos who immigrated to Canada through Newfoundland, many of whom chose to stay because of his influence and example, enriching the community.
Never forgetting his Filipino roots, as evidenced at the cabin, Dr deVilla proudly flew the Canadian flag but just below, flew the Filipino flag. He loved the music, the food, and the dancing, and he proudly shared this with his friends and grandchildren.
Dr deVilla was a proud physician and a devoted friend. He had the most unique gift to transcend race and status. He met people as and where they were. He would have the most meaningly and genuine conversations with anyone he met. He saw you for who you were and gifted you with the utmost respect.
With the utmost pride we say “pa-alam na aking mahal” to our devoted and loving husband, strong and supportive father, inspiring and caring grandfather, and admirable and loyal friend.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Julia Caines of Central Funeral Homes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to South & Central Health Foundation or the Lionel Kelland Hospice.