Efren Quintilla Lendero beloved son, brother, father and husband passed away on Friday after an 18-month battle with prostate cancer.
Efren was born in Janiuay, Iloilo, Philippines. As a boy, he evaded the Japanese during the WWII occupation between 1942-45. After the war had devastated the island, Efren left his family behind to embark on a new life abroad and found his passion in cooking where he spent countless hours teaching himself how to prepare food. He took pride in his work ethic, initiative, and compassion to get him through each day's challenges. He first worked for the U.S. Navy in Guam in 1953 as a mess attendant. He moved to San Francisco in 1968 and progressed to chef working for Polo's Restaurant and Wharfside Hof-brau until he retired in 1986. Away from his job he enjoyed drawing and the company of people.
He is predeceased by his mother Asuncion Quintilla and brother Juan Lindero. He is survived by his wife Josefina; sisters: Patricia Mamon, Cecilia Delantero, and Letecia Carbonera; his son Louie; and numerous nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law.
Special Thanks to all the staff at Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation Nineteenth Avenue who had cared, comforted, and made him smile. Special Thanks also to the doctors and nurses at University of California San Francisco, California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus, and St. Francis Memorial Hospital for their long hours of kindness and support.
No services will be held. His ashes will be scattered by plane over the Golden Gate Bridge where he starts his new journey.