Azer Manlulu Roque

Azer Roque, age 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on September 29, 2025 in Daly City, California.

Azer was born in 1941 in Natividad, Guagua, Pampanga in the Philippines to Fraylana and Salvador Roque.

He was one of nine siblings, with whom he shared a deep and lifelong bond.

He was immensely proud of the life he built both with his family and his career – rising from humble beginnings working as a stenographer to help fund his college education. A dedicated student, he earned a degree in Architecture.

Later after starting a family, he pursued a degree in Civil Engineering. Azer had an accomplished career as a Department Head at the National Irrigation Administration, NIA and at the Central Bank of the Philippines in the 70’s and 80’s.

Azer met Alicia at NIA and got married in February 1968 and had three children Lizel, Karen and Raoul and resided in Manila. They moved to the Chicago area in 1988 with relatives, then moved to the Bay Area in 1989 when Azer was hired by an engineering firm based in San Francisco.

Azer devoted most of his working life as an engineer in Construction Management. He progressed professionally through determination, humility, integrity and camaraderie. He worked on numerous construction projects in various roles with increasing responsibility, including inspector, construction manager and quality control manager.

He took great pride in his work-most notably working on public infrastructure projects that most, if not all, have stepped foot on. Projects such as the seismic retrofitting of the SF City Hall, expansion of the SF International Airport and the infill development of roadways in what is now known as Mission Bay in San Francisco. He worked in developing the area around Chase Center, the home of his favorite team Golden State Warriors, and next to it, the UCSF Mission Bay Oncology Center -where he was treated and cared for. These career projects highlighted his passion, talent, leadership and contributions to the community.

Azer’s personal life was an open-book. He was very social and built profound relationships with many, over the years. He was known for his kindness, generosity, “pakikisama”, mentorship, faith, and most importantly, unwavering belief in loving and forgiving one another- it was his legacy. He never hesitated to help others, and was a loyal friend, a loving husband and brother, a proud father and grandfather, and a faithful servant of God. He remained active in his community through organizations such as Guagua Batubalani and Apalitenos of Northern California, which provided aid for the hometown folks and college scholarships in his and Alice’s hometowns of Guagua and Apalit. Locally, he served as a mentor to young officers in both organizations. He also treasured being a member of Couples for Christ, a testament to his relentless faith, having an interpersonal relationship and love for God, and
commitment to family.

A man of many passions, he loved watching Golden State Warriors basketball, ballroom dancing, listening to music, cooking, appreciating art and paintings, managing contractors for home projects, playing word and math games on his phone, staying informed with the news, attending family gatherings, and fellowship with friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Alice, with whom he shared 57 years of love and marriage. He leaves behind his children: Lizel, Karen, and Raoul, daughter-in-law Rose, son-in-law Gary, his cherished grandchildren: Carlo and wife Maureen, Gabriel and partner Stefanie, Hayden, Miles,
Lucas, Cole and Reid, great-granddaughter Olivia, and his beloved siblings: Carmelino, Reynaldo and Mirofe.

Though he will be missed dearly, Azer’s light will always shine bright and will continue to inspire those blessed to have known and been loved by him.