Forever in our hearts
Mario Reyes Nery 1932 - 2016
About Mario...
Click to play "The Impossible Dream"
by Frank Sinatra
"A devoted husband, a loving father, a doting grandfather and great grandfather, a loyal brother, a caring son...a disciple of Christ."
From firstborn Paco's eulogy:
"It appears my father, early on, had a pretty clear idea of what his purpose in life is. He will not be motivated by wealth, fame and recognition. In fact I think he believes they only get in the way. Instead he will channel his deep relationship with God obeying His first command, loving Him, by performing His second, loving others. Thus a life of service rendered with competence and excellence, but if possible, without fanfare. A small town kid from the island of Camiguin, north of Cagayan de Oro who started as a route salesman driving Coca Cola trucks, making a name for himself in the big city, retiring as a senior VP of San Miguel after 4 decades of service. A stalwart of the Red Cross, serving in various capacities, elected as the first and only Filipino Vice President of the international federation and serving in the board of governors to his dying day. A well-loved and respected Rotary past district governor instrumental in various major projects including the building of the Rotary Center. National president of the Christian Family Movement. A grand knight of the K of C. A distinguished part of the parish pastoral council at Mt. Carmel. A devoted husband, a loving father, a doting grandfather and great grandfather, a loyal brother, a caring son. And, as Fr. Ernie said, a disciple of Christ. And if he were allowed only one of the above, he will choose the latter."
Philippine Red Cross press release:
Former Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman and member of the PRC Board of Governors Mario Nery, died on July 12, at the age of 83.
His remains lie in state at the Mt. Carmel Church, Broadway Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City.
Up before his death, Nery was a member of the PRC Board of Governors since 1990 and served as PRC chairman from 1996-1997.
“My deepest condolences to the family of Governor Mario Nery. He was a good personal friend. I call him Yoda because he is a man of vision who initiated a lot of good things for the Philippine Red Cross during his term as chairman,” said PRC chairman Richard Gordon.
During his stint in the PRC, Governor Nery has been one of the outstanding members of the Board of Governors and has actively involved himself in committee and board meetings. His dedication and unwavering support to the PRC has earned him several awards from the organization including the Diploma of Service award, Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal, Testimonial Plaque, Silver Humanitarian Service Cross, and the Gold Humanitarian Service Cross on April 14, 2016, during the 31st Biennial National Convention.
A highlight of his career in the Red Cross was when he was elected as Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Governing Board Member of the IFRC from 1998-2001. He was the first and only Filipino elected to the vice presidency of the IFRC.
Aside from the Philippine Red Cross, Governor Nery has spent a great deal of time in the service of others, particularly the poor through the Rotary International. He has involved himself in cooperatives, securing low cost housing, livelihood projects and micro-lending so that the beneficiaries can have a quality of life befitting human beings.
He has received the highest award, called the Service Above Self Award, given by Rotary International’s Board of Rotarians in recognition of his efforts towards uplifting the lives of the poor. He served as President of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro in 1974 and New Manila Heights in 1988. Nery became District Governor in 1993 and became chairman of the Philippine College of Rotary Governors, an association of all past and present Rotary Governors, in 1994.
Nery retired as Senior Vice President of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) after 39 years of service, only to be hired again as SMC management consultant for five more years.
He completed graduate studies and management courses in local and foreign management schools including Ateneo de Manila, Asian Institute of Management, International Management Institute in Switzerland and the Wharton School in the University of Pennsylvania.
Nery is survived by his wife Isidra Salcedo Nery and their six children and 16 grandchildren.
His cremation will be on July 16, Saturday, after the mass at 8:00 o’clock in the morning.