Niceto Alcala Festin

“Dahil sa iyo, ako’ y lumigaya”*

(Because of you there’s joy in living)

Niceto (Nick) Festin was born in Romblon on March 20, 1935. As a young boy growing up in the Philippines, he would watch the Hollywood movies that came to the islands (John Wayne and Errol Flynn!) and dream of coming to America.

He was always a bit of a dreamer.

After serving in the US Coast Guard, Nick began his long career as a chef.

Good food was important to him; whether dazzling customers with Chateaubriand or delighting loved ones by serving up his signature spareribs and pancit at family gatherings.

Nick worked hard and played hard.

He loved music, dancing, playing the guitar, betting on the ponies, golfing, pool, fishing, the Seattle Seahawks, gardening (red roses!) a VO water highball, and his dogs Bullit and Bobo.

But above all, Nick loved his family.

He passed away on June 28, 2022 and is survived by his soulmate of 32 years- Gladys Pfaff, his son Michael Festin and wife Trish, daughter Trining Hawkins and husband Greg, son Niceto Festin, granddaughters Stevie and Katharine Festin, Matina Hawkins, Shalayna Bacchus and husband Israel.

There is so much more that could be said about this special and much- loved man.

But Nick would probably just say,” Aye, too much carook carook!”

*Dahil Sa Iyo by Mike Velarde Jr.

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