Quirino G. Tortal

Quirino Genis Tortal, known to his friends as Kerry, was born on July 15, 1935 in the town of Ilog, Negros Occidental, Philippines to Teodorico, Sr. & Estelita Tortal. He is the third of eight siblings. As Kerry was growing up he had an experience he could not forget. One Sabbath morning while attending SS he had the urge to go out and play with his friends. As he was running away from the church to meet his friends he stepped on a broken glass that slashed his foot. From that time on he pledged to never stay away from SS and be there on time unless circumstances forbade. He kept that promise even up to the last Sabbath before he died. On that day, he was all dressed and ready, but his condition prevented him from going.  Because his parents believed in Christian education, Kerry finished all his education in our schools. He graduated from High School from West Visayan Academy. He received an Associate degree in a Secretarial course from Mountain View College and his BS Commerce with a major in accounting in 1962 from Philippine Union College, now Adventist University of the Philippines.  He was married to Remedios Domocmat on June 18, 1968. That union was blessed with two children: Maylin, a nurse, happily married to Dr. Frank Warda; and Jolliffer, an engineer, soon to be married to Cristina Gapasin. The family migrated to the US in 1973. They were in Santa Ana, TX and Pontiac, MI briefly before they settled in Hinsdale, IL for 18 years. Kerry worked in the Data Processing dept. of the hospital. Getting tired of the cold winter months they decided to move to warm Avon Park, FL in 1991. Here he worked in the Purchasing dept. of FL Hospital Heartland for nine years before retiring in 2000.  He lived an active life. As a church member he served as an Elder, Deacon, SS teacher and Assoc. Treasurer for many years. He loved to play tennis, go fishing and mingle with friends and family. He was an avid reader and a good story teller.  He proudly told his friends that he was healthy, up until he turned 80. On September 3, 2015 he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer Stage 3 and was told he had 3-6 months to live. He went through various treatments and with all your prayers, God's Mercy, healthy supplements and the good food his wife prepared for him he surpassed the predicted life expectancy to 15 months and one week. To God be the Glory for the bonus months.  He is survived by: his wife, Remedios; daughter Maylin & husband Frank, grandchildren Caleb & Luke of Portland, OR; son Jolliffer of Chicago, IL; siblings Teodorico,Jr (Josefina) of Orlando, FL; Segundito (Caroline) of Sebring, FL; Willie of Toronto, Canada; Loida (Jose) of Orlando, FL; and Danny (Colleen) of St Cloud, FL. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Eddie and sister 9 Feliza Ceteno.  We will miss our brother, Our friend, my hero.


Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home of Avon Park
111 E. Circle Street
Avon Park, FL  33825
(863) 453-3101
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com