Tuesday, March 25, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
SUN STAFF REPORTS
The Filipino community was in mourning today for Jose Ramos Grey, a prominent Filipino elder who died in his Las Vegas home. He was 74.
"Manong" Joe, as Grey was more fondly known, was active in the Filipino American community for more than two years and was among the founders of the Ilocano American Association of Nevada. He died Thursday from massive heart failure, friends said.
"Manong" is a title normally given to someone as a strong manifestation of respect in the Filipino culture who has been a patriarch most of his lifetime, said Paul Gorre of Pilipino Americans for Justice.
"To those who knew him, he was a living example; to us Filipinos and members of IAAN, he was our hero," said Victor Baula, IAAN president. "He and his family have opened their home, providing refuge for many of our people."
"Manong Joe was a prime example of true leadership and a champion of volunteerism," said Manuel Dumo Sr., president of the Federation of Filipino American Organizations of Nevada.
Grey was born in Manila on Aug. 27, 1922. He worked 20 years as an employee of the Government Service Insurance System in the Philippines, and moved to the United States in 1971. While in Las Vegas, he worked for Circus Circus.
Grey is survived by his wife, Martina Baria Grey; children Joemar and Marjorie Joyce of Las Vegas, Susan Cruz, Veronica Grey-Reganit and Rodrigo Grey of the Philippines, and Carol Pierson of Australia; two sisters and 10 grandchildren.
Funeral services are pending.
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