Cheng’s Eulogy 12.4.25
My name is Richel, also known as Cheng, but to Uncle, I was always his “Kilra.” Today we’re here to honor and celebrate the life of our one and only Uncle Felix d’ Cat. Our second dad. Our first employer. Our forever OCD Navy veteran who could not handle even one thing out of place. If you knew Uncle, you already know. He’d be wiping counters, sweeping, and mopping while the party was still happening. And if you left your drink unattended for more than a minute, forget it. He’d throw it away even if you weren’t done. That was Uncle. Perfectly clean, perfectly organized, perfectly him. Growing up, Uncle didn’t have kids of his own, but he had all of us. And trust me, he spoiled us. He guided us. And yes, he even paid us. Our “jobs” included plucking his gray hairs, giving him massages, trimming his toenails, and doing his pedicures. And most especially, he’d randomly pull our hair just to say hi. That was his version of affection. Playful, silly, and full of love. One of my favorite memories is how much Uncle loved cutting my brother’s hair. He was so proud of his “barber skills.” He’d sit my brother in the garage, grab the scissors and clippers, and give him that iconic bowl cut, just like Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. We still laugh about it to this day. Bowl cuts were his specialty. Uncle was also our math wizard. Anytime I didn’t understand my homework, he’d grab a pencil, sit down, and solve everything like it was nothing. Calm, focused, and completely in his element. No surprise there. He had a degree in Accounting. In his world, everything had to balance. The numbers, the house, and the way he lived. He took great pride in being a U.S. Navy veteran, serving nearly 10 years as a Hospital Corpsman. He carried himself with discipline, quiet strength, and so much pride. But beneath that tough exterior was one of the kindest hearts, especially when it came to babies and pets. And then there was his music and his infamous little dance. The moment you heard music from the 60s blasting, you knew Uncle was jamming. Songs like “Only You,” “Unchained Melody,” and “Stand By Me” were his whole vibe. His music was his personality. Classic, sentimental, and completely unforgettable. And of course, his Marlboro Reds. Back in the day, he smoked so much he collected enough Marlboro points to redeem two bikes. Only Uncle Felix could turn smoking into a rewards program. When he finally quit, he swapped cigarettes for candies and gum, always keeping a stash in the car and around the house. He definitely had a sweet tooth. Uncle was born on February 8, 1957. An Aquarius and a Year of the Rooster. Intelligent, independent, hardworking, and a perfectionist. That explains the nonstop cleaning, organizing, and mopping, even when we begged him to sit down and relax. He loved his fur babies, Mau Mau and Pebl, with all his heart. Mau Mau was his little shadow. And now he’s reunited with Pebl, his first baby. I can picture her running up to him, tail wagging, waiting for him in heaven. I’m sure Uncle is already feeding her chicken adobo and rice, just the way she loved it. To my kids, he was Mamito. Funny, caring, and full of life. The jokes, the teasing, that little grin. That was always him. Now Uncle is finally at peace. No more pain. No more suffering. Just rest. He lived a full, beautiful life filled with laughter, discipline, music, and so much love. So instead of saying goodbye, I want to say thank you. Thank you, Uncle Felix d’ Cat, for being our second dad, our math hero, our OCD cleaner, our candy lover, our guitarist, our oldies playlist king, and our proud Navy veteran. We love you so much, Uncle. Rest easy. Play your guitar, blast your favorite oldies, do your little back and forth dance, and keep heaven spotless exactly the way you like it. We’ll be sure to take care of your Tess, your nickname for Tita Betia. We’ll love you forever, Uncle. Rest easy. 🤍
