Jose Andres Ramirez "Ping" Duenas (October 17, 1930 - August 31, 2009) was a Guamanian politician and public servant.[1] Duenas served as a Senator in the Legislature of Guam from 1971 to 1978 and was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Guam in 1990.[2]
Jose Andres Ramirez "Ping" Duenas | |
|---|---|
| Senator in the Guam Legislature | |
| In office January 4, 1971 – January 1, 1979 | |
| Chairman of the Democratic Party of Guam | |
| In office 1987–1990 | |
| Preceded by | F. Phillip Carbullido |
| Succeeded by | Priscilla T. Tuncap |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jose Andres Ramirez Duenas October 17, 1930 Dededo, Guam |
| Died | August 31, 2009 (aged 78) En route to Anaheim |
| Resting place | Guam Memorial Park |
| Political party | Democratic Party of Guam |
| Spouse | Rosario "Ling" Perez Duenas |
| Children | 8 |
| Occupation | Politician, public servant |
Early life
editDuenas was born on October 17, 1930.[2] He resided in Dededo, Guam.[1]
Career
editIn 1962, Duenas became a founding member of the Guam Employees Federal Credit Union (GGEFCU).[2] That year, Duenas and 18 other Guam government employees deposited a total of $250 USD to establish the new credit union.[2] The GGEFCU has grown substantially in terms of assets since 1962.[2]
Duenas served Guam as a public servant and politician for twenty-eight years. He worked in the Department of Administration as the auditor and chief accountant.[2] He also served as the chairman of the board of the Guam Housing Corporation and the vice president of financial affairs for the University of Guam.[2]
Duenas, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected as a Senator in the Guam Legislature, where he served from 1971 until 1978.[2] While in the legislature, he became the minority leader of the 14th Guam Legislature.[1] During this time, he wrote a series of monthly columns detailing pressing social and political problems facing the island.[1]
Duenas became the chairman of the Democratic Party of Guam for three years during the 1980s.[1] In 1990, Duenas unsuccessfully ran for Lt. Governor as the running mate of Madeleine Bordallo in the gubernatorial election.[1][2] He also worked as the campaign treasurer for Guam Senator Frank Aguon Jr.[2]
Death
editPing Duenas was hospitalized in Guam Memorial Hospital for a week in August 2009.[2] A decision was made to transport him to a medical facility in Anaheim, California, for medical treatment.[2]
Duenas suffered a heart attack approximately an hour before the plane was scheduled to land in Anaheim on the flight from Hawaii on August 31, 2009.[1][2] He died on the plane en route to Anaheim at the age of 78.[2] His wife, Ling Duenas; son, Tommy; and brother, Dr. Vicente Duenas; were with him at the time.[2]
Duenas' family informed the Speaker of the Guam Legislature, Judith Won Pat, that Duenas did not want a state funeral.[2] His viewing and funeral mass were held at the Santa Barbara Catholic Church in Dededo. He was buried at the Guam Memorial Park in Barrigada.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Santiago, Bernice (2009-09-02). "'Guam lost a good friend'". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 2009-09-28. [dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Hart, Therese (2009-09-18). "Last respects for Senator Ping Duenas". Marianas Variety. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2009-09-28.