Teodoro Arce Sumera

Teodoro Sumera of Westwego, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones in his home on Wednesday, June 3,2020 at the age of 95. He was born in Manila, Philippines on May 20, 1925 and came to the United States with the US Navy when he was 19 years old. Mr. Sumera is predeceased by his late wife, Audrey Browning Sumera and son, Lawrence Steven Sumera Sr. He is survived by five children: Theodore Sumera (Melinda), Kenneth Sumera (Janet) Michael Sumera (Daphne), Marie Sumera Breck (Frank), Joseph Sumera (Stacey), daughter-in-law, Patricia Dannette Sumera. He is survived by grandchildren, Kenneth Flanagan (Jessica), Kenneth Jr, Michelle, Linda (Kerry), Tara (Bill), Lyle "Chucky" (Vanessa), Michael, Jeremiah (Mandy), Teddy, David, Joseph and the late Lawrence Sumera Jr & Laura Sumera, survived by great grandchildren; Erica (Jeremy), Sabrina (Blake), Whitney, Chance (Cassidy), Bill, Brooke, Wyatt, Kaleb, Michael, Joli, Isabel, Matthew, Alyssa, Sebastian, Madelyn, Layla, Kasen, Julian, Adrian, Kingston, Bailey, Carmela, Kylie, Santino and great great-grandfather to Elijah, Abrielle, Emma, Alex, Autumn, Amelia. Mr. Sumera is predeceased by his parents Victoriano Sumera and Eduvihis Arce Sumera, predeceased by one brother, Victoriano Sumera and two sisters; Antonina Pimentel, Maximina Angeles and he is survived by brother, Lorenzo Sumera and sister, Iluminada Sumera of the Philippines. Mr. Sumera served three years as a Guerrilla in the Philippine Army fighting alongside the US Navy against the Japanese in World War II. Upon returning to his home after the war, he joined the US Navy and left the Philippines. He met his late wife in Brooklyn, New York at a dance, where they fell in love and married a few years later. They had four sons in Queens, NY, then moved to New Orleans where they had a daughter and another son. While in the Navy he was sent to culinary school where he excelled and became an Executive Chef. While in the Navy he was part of the Korean Conflict and the Cuban Crisis. He was a proud Navy veteran who served 22 years devoted to the United States. After his retirement from the Navy, he continued his career at the Bali Hai, the Monteleone Hotel, the New Orleans Country Club where he retired from and then went back to work at Lakewood Country Club and retired from there as well. Mr. Sumera was not a man of many words, but what he said, he meant. He was a humble man who never complained about anything or anyone. He taught his children to work hard, to respect others and to always be grateful and proud. His only passion other than his family was to have a new vehicle every five years, which he proudly drove. He loved the sport of boxing, which he taught to his sons. In turn his sons taught him about football and shooting pool, which they all enjoyed together. Mr. Sumera loved his wife and as he would say, “she was his life”. He was a family man that loved becoming “PawPaw, Pop, Macho Man, Lolo” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He proudly spoiled all these grandchildren with the sweetest love. His late wife and he spent many years in the kitchen cooking huge Sunday meals to spoil their children, their spouses, and grandchildren with the best of food and care. Each of his children excelled at cooking and have passed his culinary passion and his Filipino culture of feeding others to their own children and grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Total Home Health and especially, Christina Gegenheimer, Michelle, Kirk and Diana for the many years of wonderful CNA, nursing care and physical therapy. Relatives and Friends of the Family are invited to attend the Funeral Service in the Chapel of MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 7040 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 1 PM. Interment St. Roch Cemetery Number II, New Orleans, LA. Visitation will be held From 11 AM until 1 PM. Due to the current health conditions, guests should wear masks and keep condolences brief. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to The National WWII Museum.