Obituary of FERDINAND ULAYAO DE GUZMAN

Ferdinand De Guzman

December 22, 1967 – October 23, 2023

Ferdinand Ulayao De Guzman, known as Ferdz/Ferdee/Fende to his family and friends, has sadly passed away. Ferdinand courageously battled with lung & heart complications for three years, and has unfortunately passed on October 23, 2023 following his thyroid surgery.

He is, and will be truly loved by everyone. Ferdinand will be mourned by his wife Nenita, his children Alexander (Liezl), Dianne & Mark; his father Gerardo Sr.; his mother Zenaida; his brothers Gerardo Jr.(Analisa) and Jay ( Mary Jane); his sister Geraldine, and many other family members and friends.

Ferdinand was born in 1967 on the 22nd of December and grew up in San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines. Ferdinand had a passion for many things; his work, driving, but the passion that had superseded all of these, was the love and care he had for his family. Ferdinand met Nenita in 1993 and immediately knew he would make her his wife. They soon got married and had three children: Alexander, Dianne Alexa, and Mark Gerard. Ferdinand proved to be the most loving, and caring father in the world. He always made time for his children and maintained a strong relationship with them well into their adulthood. Ferdinand was not only a kindhearted father, but also a wonderful, dedicated husband and was an active member inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) as a Deacon and Area Leader. God and Family was always at the forefront of his heart.

In the early stages of his career, Ferdinand had worked as a Civil/Site Engineer in Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) Engineering and Construction Department Program “Pundasyon” for four years.

For nine months he worked in Abu Dhabi (UAE) as a site Engineer, and briefly returned to the Philippines to build a business known as Dondee’s Tire Supplies and General Merchandise. Following this, he worked as a Construction Site Inspector in Doha State of Qatar Water Treatment Plant for three years.

After newly migrating to Canada, Ferdinand attained his class 1 license to work in the transport industry as a Long Haul Truck Driver with VM Transport Ltd. for two years, driving to U.S. and Mexico. After his family arrived in 2009, Ferdinand received a position in demolition, and shortly after he worked alongside his brother Gerardo “Gerry” in United Rentals.

Here, he served as a professional Service Technician and earned his Red Seal Heavy Duty Mechanic while working full-time with Canadian Pacific Railway for eleven years.

Despite his recent health struggles, he powered through every difficult moment with grace and humility, and never gave up hope. Ferdinand will sadly be missed, and lovingly remembered by all whose lives he touched.

A service for Ferdinand will be held on October 28, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St., Winnipeg, for his friends and family to say their final goodbye. An interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery, on October 30, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.