The-Ave.US

obituary by  Nancy Bartley of the Seattle Times, excerpted here

Anthony Washington, a dear friend and wonderful writer here on TA, has just lost his grandfather. I hope that Anthony, once he has survived the mourning period, will tell us more of this great heritage.

As Fred Cordova’s eight children were growing up there was one thing about their dad they had to accept: They had to share him, not just with each other, but with the entire community.

“Few individuals command the depth of respect that Fred inspired,” U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, wrote in a letter to Mr. Cordova’s family. “He was an irreplaceable part of Seattle’s civil-rights history and a giant within its Filipino community.    He was a pioneer and leader in so many causes and organizations.”

Born June    3, 1931, in Selma, Calif., he was adopted and raised in a family of migrant-contract-farmers. He moved to Seattle in 1948 to attend Seattle University. While there he met Dorothy Laigo. Both were studying sociology, and they later married.

Mr. Cordova became a sports editor at the Catholic Northwest Progress, later worked for Seattle University and then the University of Washington as a public-information official.

In 1957, he co-founded the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle and created the award-winning Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team. For more than 50 years, Mr. Cordova mentored thousands of young people, his friends say.

During the turbulent 1960s and 1970s, he was an outspoken advocate for economic justice, racial equality and ethnic identity. He was the weekly commentator on issues important to communities of color for KYAC-FM Radio’s “Dark Voices” series.

In 1982, he was the founding president of the Filipino American National Historical Society, creating its national archives.

Alma Kern, president of the Filipino American Community of Seattle, wrote on the organization’s website that Mr. Cordova was “one man, who dreamed, spoke and accomplished what millions of us only wished for and talked about. He was one man in a sea of millions of Filipino Americans, and yet, he looked deep into our hearts and saw our potential and showed us by example what we are all capable of doing.’’

Mr. Cordova lectured on Filipino culture and history at the University of Washington. In 1998, Seattle University awarded him an honorary doctorate for lifetime achievements in research, writing and promoting Filipino American history and community.

“If you were a Cordova, you had to share dad with the community. That was very important,’’ said Cecilia Cordova, one of his daughters. “Ever since I can remember, my parents were always volunteering … with the civil-rights movement, with education, with youth groups. There are so many people whose lives he touched. So many people who feel they know him intimately.’’

He was a member of Immaculate Conception parish for 50 years and was ordained as a deacon about 10 years ago. Despite failing health, he created the San Pedro Calungsod Guild, in honor of the Filipino saint, and led efforts to propose a national shrine at Immaculate Conception, an ethnically mixed congregation.

“When he would preach he would say, ‘Look around. This is what heaven looks like,’’’ Monica Hall, an Immaculate Conception parishioner, recalled. He was “very honest about his faith journey’’ and, she added, “He was a character.’’

A die-hard Seahawks fan, he didn’t hesitate to add “Pray for the Seahawks!’’ when he addressed the congregation, Cecilia Cordova said. His most prized possessions included a Doug Baldwin (Seahawks wide receiver) jersey, which, she said, Mr. Cordova will be dressed in beneath his burial vestments.