Obituary of Raul E. Villanueva
Raul Estrada Villanueva, 80, of Howell passed away on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, after an unexpected short illness. He was cared for by his family and passed peacefully with them at the bedside. He was born and raised in the Philippines and received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. He followed the love of his life and wife of 51 years when he immigrated to the United States in 1969, via New York City where he worked as a chemical engineer for Conoco Oil Company. He and his loving wife raised their family in Freehold, NJ before settling in Howell, NJ in 1997. Raul worked for the United States Postal Service as a postal clerk for 24 years. He was a co-founder and active head servant of the Mary Queen of Peace prayer group for 28 years, generous with his time, talent and treasure. He was well loved in his community and will be missed by all. Raul had an infectious smile and joyous laugh. He loved his morning walks and was an avid gardener and bird watcher. Raul was known for his love of Karaoke and good food. He was also a golfer and loved all sports; especially watching his grandkids play the sports they love. Raul’s wife, children, and grandchildren was where he found his life’s meaning. He was a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather and will be missed by all who loved him.
Raul was predeceased by his mother, Simplicia Villanueva and brother, Rodrigo Villanueva. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Librada Villanueva; his daughters, Lara Kothari and her husband, Pranav of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Lisa Townsend and her husband, John of Quincy, MA; grandchildren, Nikhil Kothari, Frank Townsend, Elena Townsend, and Kobin Kothari; sisters, Virma Torres of Columbia, MD and Teresita Dalusong of Antipolo, Philippines. He leaves behind many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins who cherish many happy memories with him.
A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on September 9, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass on September 10, 2021 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. For those that cannot attend in person, the family invites you to participate via webcast HERE. Interment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions maybe made to Mary Queen of Peace Prayer Group, 11 Iris Court, Howell, NJ 07731. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages for the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.