Dr. Rogato H. Cubelo, MD

Rogato H. Cubelo, 72, a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, from Covington, Washington, died peacefully on June 7, 2020.  He was born on March 25, 1948 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, and raised in Cebu City, Philippines.   He was one of 17 children to parents Francisco G. Cubelo and Maxima H. Cubelo.   It was in Cebu where he met his classmate and college sweetheart - Dr. Thelma Dacanay, at the South Western University – Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine.

Rogato was very passionate about his studies and shared his love of singing using his guitar during his solo and group performances at school events.  He and his wife received their Doctor of Medicine degree in 1972 and married later that year.  

Rogato worked as the Ship Physician at MV Cebu City.   He and his wife relocated to La Union, Philippines, where his wife’s family and relatives (Ortega, Marzo, and Dacanay clan) are based.   Rogato was an Orthopedic Surgeon and served briefly as Chief at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines.   He taught Anatomy and Physiology class at DMMMSU-MLUC (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid-La Union Campus).   He and his wife served their community by providing free medical consultations and treatments at their own private medical clinic.  Rogato also performed numerous in-home infant deliveries to mothers unable to afford giving birth in a hospital.

Together with their three children, Rogato and his wife immigrated to the U.S.A. in 1991 to join his wife’s parents and siblings.   The family was petitioned by his wife’s father- Dr. Segundo Dacanay (US Army-WWII Veteran).   Rogato and family became naturalized American citizens in 1996.  He was the Assistant Director of Catholic Community Services in Guam until year 2000 when the family moved to Seattle, Washington. 

Rogato worked briefly at the Seattle Mental Health and transferred to Asian Counseling and Referral Services as a Case Manager and also as a donor and volunteer for several years up to his death.  He continued his love of performing songs at family gatherings and other social events at his work place and the Bohol Association of Seattle where he served as a member.  

Rogato played his guitar and piano, sang and recorded covers of his favorite songs and posted them to his Facebook page during his spare time.   He will be most remembered by many as a man of great character, well-mannered, soft-spoken, and for his generosity. 

Rogato is survived by his wife: Dr. Thelma D. Cubelo; sons: Alexis and Elmer: daughter:  Eileen; daughter-in-law: Joyce; grandchildren: Alexander Joseph, Chanelle Joyce, Roman Henry, and Cairo Rogato;

He is also survived by his siblings: (Living) Florencia C. Nunez, Onesima C. Estandarte, Numeriana C. Capuyan, Victoria C. Jamora, Filomeno H. Cubelo, Patricia Cubelo, Vicente M. Piloton, Gaudiosa M. Piloton; Deceased siblings: Lydia C. Canete, Wiron H. Cubelo, Roman H. Cubelo, Vicente P. Cubelo, Roberto Cubelo, Loreto Cubelo, Francisco Cubelo Jr., and Saturnina Cubelo; and Rogato’s cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family is grateful to his care team at the St. Joseph Medical Center for their kindness and great service during Rogato’s stay in the Intensive Care Unit.   The family is also very grateful for the support, warm messages, and prayers offered by everyone that knew Rogato.   A public gathering will not be held due to the ongoing threat of Covid-19.  The family will gather at a private funeral mass to honor his life and legacy.      

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