Mario R. Nery, Red Cross and Rotary governor; 83
Former San Miguel Corp. executive Mario R. Nery, a long-time member of the Philippine Red Cross board of governors, passed away early Tuesday, July 12, of post-surgery complications. He was 83.
Nery was also a former governor of Rotary International’s District 3780 and a former chair of Philippine Rotary’s Council of Governors. He served as chair of the Philippine National Red Cross, as it was known then, when it marked its 50th anniversary in 1997; he was also the first Filipino to serve as Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in which capacity he helped lead the rewriting of the charter of the International Red Cross movement.
He was also deeply involved in his parish, the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine in New Manila, Quezon City; the Christian Family Movement; and his barangay in Quezon City. He received many awards for his humanitarian work, including Rotary’s highest honor, the Service Above Self award, and the PRC’s Gold Humanitarian Service Cross.
His 40-year working career was spent in San Miguel Corporation—the first 30 in what was then known as the Soft Drinks Division, the last 10 as head of Magnolia, the dairy products enterprise.
He is survived by Inday, his wife of 61 years; his children Paco and Desi Nery, Butch and Connie Pacana, Ed and Effie Garcia, John and Paz Nery, Raffy and Cristy Abasolo, Tony Nery and Raya Gutierrez; and 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. John, or Mario Jr., is associate editor and opinion columnist at the Philippine Daily Inquirer and editor in chief of INQUIRER.net.
The wake will be held at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel inside the Mt. Carmel Shrine, with masses offered at 7:30 pm every night. The funeral is scheduled forSaturday, July 16.
