Tribute to our Dad Arsenio

Theodorico and Paula Abrescy Family Lineage

Tribute to our Dad Arsenio (Arce) Icasiano

Born: March 31, 1918 Stockton, Ca.

Departed: November 26, 1963 Stockton, Ca.

Dad was the greatest!! He worked hard everyday to support his family, and he was the best mechanic in the San Joaquin Valley. People would bring their cars to him from as far as Salinas, Ca. Mom was a homemaker, taking the best care of us. Mom was very meticulous about herself and her children. We were always dressed up when we went out, and Mom always pin-curled our hair so it was nice a fluffy the next day. My brother was so cute in his shorts...all so neatly pressed.

Our parents were very strict, but also, very loving. Dad was a great example of a family man who worked hard *and* who played hard. His hobby was restoring cars. For entertainment he would accompany Mom on his guitar as she sang so many of the songs popular in the 40's and 50's at the many parties we used to have in our home or at friends. Unfortunately, the reel to reel tapes that they made so many recordings, are now lost to us forever. Fortunately, Mom loved to capture us on her 8mm movie camera, and we still have those films. Our project now is to restore them onto video.

Dad would take us for weekend trips to Lake Tahoe on camping trips, or just to play at the Casinos. I remember he and Mom would bring us the Keno tickets to mark, hoping that we would get lucky. I don't think we ever hit the jackpot, but he and Mom had fun...and so did we! Another cool memory was Dad saving $20.00 a week so that we could take a trip to Disneyland. I was 7 when we finally went...and Disneyland was STILL being constructed.

The memories I have of my dad are still very fresh after all these years. His last endeavor before he got sick was restoring his prized Lil' White Jewel' a 32 Plymouth, 2 door hardtop with a Hemi engine. He actually raced it at Kingdom Drag strip, in Stockton, as well as having the honor of winning several trophies at the Car Shows he entered.

My brother, luckily, kept the remnants of the album that Mom, with so much pride, painstakingly put together. On Dad's Photo , I hope you enjoy the photos of his Lil White Jewel.. This site will grow as I get more of the photos and articles that are in the album scanned.

Dad died of pancreas cancer at the young age of 45. I was only 12 years old. I remember watching JFK's funeral together as a family, and a few days later, he was gone. It was pretty devastating for Dad's young family, but we survived with lasting memories of a gentle, generous, wonderful person.

Dad has two daughter's from a previous marriage. They are Sabina Icasiano Caybut, and Lani Icasiano Dominguez. We are in contact today, and for that I am very happy.

Dad is also survived by two half sisters in Seattle, Washington, my Auntie's Bening and Celing and their families. I remember when I was around 3 years old, we went to my Auntie Bening's house which had a laundry shoot that went from the 2nd floor to the Basement. I remember trying to climb UP the shoot, and how much noise it made..and HOW MUCH fun it was!!! My cousins Roy and Larry Flores and the Icasiano family reunited recently when they visited San Francisco after almost 40 years of silence. I have to give thanks to the Internet for striking up correspondence once again.

Thanks for letting me share my wonderful memories. Enjoy the car photo's of Dad's Lil' White Jewel'

Please sign our guestbook before you leave by clicking here.

Thanks SO much!!!

Background compliments of NORTHERN DREAMS