Gordon lauds Red Cross ‘man of vision’

Senator Richard Gordon paid tribute to his predecessor as Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chair, Mario R. Nery, who passed away Tuesday.

READ: Mario R. Nery, Red Cross and Rotary governor; 83

“My deepest condolences to the family of Governor Mario Nery. He was a good personal friend. I call him Yoda because he is a man of vision who initiated a lot of good things for the Philippine Red Cross during his term as chairman,” Gordon said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 83-year-old Nery passed away early Tuesday due to post-surgery complications. He served as Red Cross chairman from 1996 to 1997 when the agency marked its 50th anniversary and member of the PRC Board of Governors since 1990.

Nery was hailed as an outstanding member of the PRC board for his active involvement in committee and board meetings during his stint.

“His dedication and unwavering support to the PRC has earned him several awards from the organization including the Diploma of Service award, Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal, Testimonial Plaque, Silver Humanitarian Service Cross, and the Gold Humanitarian Service Cross on April 14, 2016, during the 31st Biennial National Convention,” the PRC said in a statement.

Nery was the first and only Filipino elected as Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, where he also served as governing board member from 1998 to 2001.

PRC also lauded Nery for spending a great deal of his time in service to the poor through the Rotary International, particularly his involvement in cooperatives, securing low cost housing, livelihood projects and micro-lending “so that the beneficiaries can have a quality of life befitting human beings.”

Nery served as governor of Rotary International’s District 3780 in 1993 and a former chair of Philippine Rotary’s Council of Governors in 1994. He received the Rotary’s highest award “Service Above Self Award” for his humanitarian work.

Nery, who completed graduate studies and management courses in local and foreign management schools, retired as senior vice president of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) after four decades of service, only to be hired again as SMC management consultant for another five years.

Nery is survived by Isidra Salcedo, his wife of 61 years, and their six children, including INQUIRER.net editor in chief Mario Jr. or John. He has 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

The wake is being held at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel inside the Mt. Carmel Shrine, with masses offered at 7:30 pm every night. His cremation will be on Saturday, July 16, after the 10:00 a.m. mass. YG/RAM