Mimeo, also known as Mim or Ming, age 89, was a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a genuine friend to many who knew him. You were always greeted by his dimpled smile and could feel the warmth of his heart and hospitality.

His life was well documented in many forms that captured the essence of his character. Recently, the family discovered handwritten letters that unbeknownst to the family, his wife Norma had kept and preserved. The eloquently written letters were by Mimeo, corresponding to Norma from  1956 - 1968. In the years following, Mimeo had many reels of 8 mm and camcorder home videos, thousands of pictures, and entertained the family with storytelling of very articulate details of his life and family history. It was evident that Mimeo dedicated his life to be fully faithful to God, to be loving, supporting, and endearing to his wife; loving, proud, and a role model to his children and grandchildren; and being a loyal friend to all those who crossed his path.

Mimeo was born in Binalonan, Pangasinan on April 13, 1935 to Ambrosio and Consolacion Bascos Soriano and was one of four siblings. He was a great storyteller of the Soriano family history, very keen on historical moments with much vivid details. He was 6 years old in the onset of WWII when the Japanese invaded his hometown of Binalonan. While most of the villagers evacuated, his father was a civil service employee appointed as the head of the Rescue Team and had to stay in case there were victims of casualties. His family was the last to move out, escaping by foot in the moonlight, the day after Christmas. Mimeo carried his golden retriever named Guardia (translated to Guard) through the 'back woods, crossed the stream, there were two rivers crossed, knee and waist high'. Low flying Japanese airplanes shot at them as they hid under the big Acacia trees and survived. The family arrived in the family rice fields, about several kilometers away, where they built their nipa huts and where his mother gave birth to his younger sister, Linda. When they were allowed to return to their home, he attended first grade being taught by Japanese soldiers. They shaved the students' heads and taught them to speak Japanese.

Mimeo attended Binalonan High School in Pangasinan where he first met his future wife Norma. He continued his studies at National University in Manila, graduating in the school of Mechanical Engineering in 1957. After graduation, he would visit his brother, a Methodist minister in Pangasinan, where he reconnected with Norma. They both later attended Knox United Methodist Church and both were active in the choir. Mimeo and Norma were married in 1963 for 57 years, until Norma's passing in 2021.

Mimeo made many sacrifices to support and provide financially for his family. Early on, his jobs were often far from home. He worked as an engineer at Baguio Gold Mining, while Norma and their young children James, Glyne, and Sharlyne remained in Manila. He would often return home on the weekends and wrote many letters providing encouragement, love, and blessings to his family.

Mimeo dreamed of finding better opportunities to provide for his family. At first, he was offered a visa to Ghana, but later was rescinded due to security and safety reasons in the uprisings in Ghana. In 1966, a family friend was persistent in selling him life insurance. To appease her, he said "If you can find a way for me to go to America, I will buy insurance from you". Sure enough, she had connections to grant him a VISA appointment and, in a whirlwind, Mimeo found his opportunity to go to America. True to his word, he bought life insurance from the friend. Within months, Mimeo left the Philippines to seek the American dream. In October 17, 1966, he arrived in the USA and left behind Norma, who was 5 months pregnant with their 4th child (Joy), James, Glyne, and Sharlyne. He joined his sister, Linda, in Grand Rapids, Michigan with only $50 in his pocket.

Mimeo found employment by Westinghouse Electric Corp. in Grand Rapids, MI. He wrote religiously to his family back in the Philippines. In every letter written, he never failed to acknowledge God and his blessings. He gave encouragement and advice to Norma and sympathized with her hard work to raise the children without him. He lamented on being homesick from them longing to reunite with them and wanting to see his newly born daughter, Joy. Always ever so thoughtful he would write "Please dear, buy something good for the children, for their snacks, vitamins and clothing. Buy fruits, grapes or citrus and Ovaltine and allow them to have good sunshine too".

In 1967, Mimeo moved to Seattle, Washington employed by Boeing as Planning/Design Engineer. By October 1968, the rest of the family was finally able to reunite with Mimeo after 2 years, meeting Joy (20 months old) for the first time. Their last child, JR was born in Seattle, Washington. In unfortunate circumstances, Mimeo lost his job during a mass reduction in force. The family moved cross country to Queens, New York City and found work with the City of New York Health and Hospitals Corp. at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn as a Mechanical Engineer in the Engineering Dept.

In 1975, he took the family to their forever home in Hampton, Virginia. Mimeo accepted a Federal Civil Service job in Virginia, first with the Dept. of the Army as Chief of Utilities Division at Fort Monroe, Hampton.  Then he transferred to Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Utilities and Energy Division, Norfolk as a Mechanical Engineer.  The job gave him opportunities to travel to different US Navy bases in US  and  to the Caribbean: Puerto Rico, Panama, US Virgin Islands, Newfoundland, Spain and side trips to Morocco, and Gibraltar. Wanting to share in his experiences, he took Norma and some of his children along with him. He retired from civil service in January 2001.

He had the gift of hospitality, there was hardly a stranger that he treated as a friend. He loved to entertain out of town guests, often being the designated tour guide to surrounding areas and even driving them to visit his children in different cities. If he had met a Filipino, there was a high likelihood that he would find a common family member or acquaintance between them. While Norma worked at Busch Gardens, he came along and spent his days in the park befriending tourists and would serve as their unofficial complimentary tour guide. He would suggest what rides to ride, where to eat, the best times to watch a show and recommended which seats offered the best views of the performance.

Mimeo loved music, singing in the church choir and encouraged his children to pursue music. He was actively interested in all his children's' and grandchildren' activities, proudly attended their band concerts, parades, sports, and dance activities or proudly spoke of their accomplishments. He instilled the love of music and traveling to his children and grandchildren.

Although he spoke of his life hardships, he had many examples of perseverance and faith and was grateful for everything he had. Despite his trials, he was very proud of achieving his American dream. His memories and experiences will provide a lasting legacy for his children and family. He is loved so much and will be missed.

Mimeo was predeceased by his parents, one brother and one sister, and his wife Norma. He is survived by one sister Linda Soriano Summach and children James Soriano, Glyne Conner (Larry), Sharlyne Pyles (Mark), Joy Thompson (Ritchie) and M.C. Soriano Jr;  grandchildren Christopher Emano, Ashley Conner, Megan Lewellen (Bradley), Jonathan Conner, Ryan Pyles, Justin Pyles, and Jacob Soriano.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in his memory to the Dementiasociety.org. A graveside celebration of life and funeral services at Parklawn Memorial Park 2551 N Armistead Ave. Hampton, VA 23666 have been entrusted to R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home 245 South Armistead Ave. Hampton, VA 23669.