Leopoldo Delfinado Villanueva, M.D. of Pensacola, FL passed away on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3, 2016 at age 77 due to complications from diabetes.

He was born August 9, 1938 in Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines, he was the only child of Emancio and Pepita Villanueva. He graduated a Doctor of Medicine from Far Eastern University in Manila in 1965. He left the PI for an internship at Grant Hospital in Chicago, IL where he met the love of his life Felicitas Maghirang. They married November 25, 1967 and had five children. He moved his family to Pensacola, FL in 1976 where he began practicing as a General Practice physician in the Payne Building at Sacred Heart Hospital. He opened his private practice in 1998 and continued practicing until his death.

Other positions included Medical Director of the Drug Counseling Program, Primary Care Services, and the Pathway Program at Lakeview Center. He was a member The American Academy of Family Physicians, FL Academy of Family Physicians, NW FL Academy of Family Physicians, FL Medical Association, Escambia County Medical Society, Association of Military Surgeons of the USA, Association of Philippine Physicians of America, and the Association of Philippine Physicians of the FL Panhandle where he served as President 1 year and was their forever Treasurer. He was a big supporter of the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola and a long-time member of St. Paul's Catholic Church. He proudly served in the Army National Guard for 20 years and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. in the Medical Corps. Dr. Villanueva lived out all of his dreams after moving to the USA and is now officially retired to the heavens.

He was preceded in death by his father Emancio Villanueva, mother Pepita Villanueva, and son Leopoldo M. Villanueva, Jr.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Felicitas Maghirang Villanueva, son Michael  Angelo Villanueva, son Mark Steven Villanueva, and daughter Raela Marie Villanueva, (all of Pensacola), and son John Paul Villanueva (Kimberly), and grandsons John Paul H. Villanueva, Leopoldo Aaron Villanueva, and Oliver Christian Villanueva (all of Jacksonville, FL). He is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in the Philippines, Canada, and USA.

A rosary service will begin at 4:45pm followed by a visitation from 5-7pm on Friday, April 8 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 9 at 2pm with Father Eugene Pathe officiating at St. Paul's Catholic Church, followed by the burial at Bayview Memorial Park. Reception will follow at St. Paul's gym.

Pallbearers include Dr. Rogelio Samson, Dr. Dewey Torres, Dr. Cesar Llanera, Dr. Regulo Calaycay, Dr. Miguel Mancao, Dr. Ven Teves, Dr. Raul Ramos, and Dr. Belle Almojera. Honorary Pallbearers include Dr. Manuel Abendan, Dr. Jose Montes, and Dr. Delano Quijano.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Dream Project CD, a suicide prevention and awareness tool created in memory of his son Leopoldo M. Villanueva, Jr. who died in 1997. Checks can be made to The Dream Project CD and mailed to 3150 Hyde Park Place, Pensacola, FL 32503. Donations can be made online at www.dreamprojectcd.com .

Special thanks to Dr. Ludovic M. Lasquety and all the medical staff at Sacred Heart Hospital, Father Eugene Pathe, St. Paul's Church and staff, Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Bayview Memorial Park, Culinary Productions, Inc. and all the family and friends for their support and love.