Antero D. Tomas II

Antero D. (Jun) Tomas II, was born in San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines on December 31, 1942. He passed on December 28, 2014 at his home in Bourbonnais after the onset of his illness two years ago. Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Maternity B.V.M. Catholic Church. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree, awarded with honor in English from Manuel L. Quezon University, Manila, Philippines in 1963. He attended Ateneo de Manila University, Graduate school in law, DePaul University in Chicago graduate school of Business and completed Employee Career Program with Zurich Company to train business analyst to become programmers. His parents are Atty. Antero Tomas Sr. (deceased) and Maxima Diaz. He was married and was divorced with his first wife, Leonor Ramiscal. His wife is Judy O. San Luis-Tomas, married on July 18, 1999 in Alsip, Illinois. He is survived by his four sons Anthony (Fatimah) Tomas of Chicago, Antero “Jojo” (Beth) Tomas III of Wheaton, Armando (Lauri) Tomas of Chicago, Abraham Tomas of Aurora , Colorado; granddaughters, Alyssa, Anna, Angela, Alexa, Vasti, and Valerie. He also has two step-daughters, Clarissa (Jeff) Downs of Bourbonnais and Theresa San Luis of St. Peter, MO; and one grandson, Colin. Antero has two living brothers, Dr. Arturo (Ruth) Tomas of Ottawa and Atty. Abelardo (Odette) Tomas of Binan, Laguna, Philippines. Antero’s career started while he was still a student at Manuel L. Quezon University, Philippines while working as Asst. Personnel Manager at Philippine American Ins. Co. in Manila. When he immigrated to the U.S., he first settled in Peoria. He was an Accounting clerk/TPN Employee Credit Union treasurer for the Toledo Peoria and Western R.R. Co. In Chicago, he was a Business Analyst for American Reserve Corporation; Methods Analyst/Internal Management Consultant for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. He was a Procedure Analyst/Technical writer for Wicks Corp. at Vernon Hills; Senior Programmer Analyst for Zurich Ins. in Schaumburg. His last employment was an Application Developer for CNA Insurance in Chicago. His other work interest involved as an independent contractor for Chicago Examiner as a writer for ethnic music. Antero was active in Chicago and Peoria community. He chaired the Board of Director of the Chicago Philippine Performing Arts; was president of Ilocandia USA; president of Novo Ecijano of the Midwest; founder and president of San Josenian of Chicago; co-founder and president of CARE (Chicago Anklung & Rondalla ensemble); presided over various Fil-American Organizations and wrote speeches for friends. Antero was multilingual, fluent in English and Spanish and has had Ilocano/Tagalog-English interepreting assignments for Berlitz International in courts and SSA offices. Antero dedicated his life in Music and Arts. As a musician, he played piano, guitar, violin and banduria (Ethnic string instrument). He also involved his time as a base singer and was part of the Philippine Performing Arts group, Southwest Simbang Gabi Choir, Chicago Holy Name Cathedral Choir and other Chicago choir groups. He co-founded the Chicago Anklung and Ronalla Ensemble, played lead banduria while his wife played Laud. He was the banduria player of the 3JNR Rondalla Band until the onset of his illness that limited his appearances in Chicago, Bourbonnais, Peoria, Springfield and other surrounding areas community functions. Antero enjoyed golfing, fishing, and traveling. He was a leader, organizer, musician, writer, speaker and is remembered as generous, social, friendly and a helpful person with a quick sense of humor and a great smile. Antero’s memory will remain and his spirit will be with us. We will miss you “Jun.”

Antero D. Tomas II

December 31, 1942 - December 28, 2014