Roll Call Tribute

Petronilo B. "Pete" Barsales 

October 15, 1934 - August 1, 2023 

Petronilo "Pete" Bringuel Barsales, beloved husband and father, died peacefully on August 1, 2023, in Houston, TX. He was born on October 15, 1934, in the village of Tiwi in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Philippines to Gabino and Placida Barsales. In 1958, he graduated from the University of the Philippines–Los Baños with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and after two years as a teaching assistant, he was recruited by Operation Brotherhood to participate in relief efforts in Laos. In 1961, he moved to the United States to attend graduate school at Texas A&M University and received a Master of Science in Dairy Science in 1964. Two years earlier he met the love of his life, Melody deGuzman, a nurse at Methodist Hospital. The two were married in 1968 and made their home in Houston.

After several years of working as a research assistant at Baylor College of Medicine, he made a career pivot into insurance. With a natural talent for business and networking, he enjoyed a successful 40-year career as an agent for Farmers Insurance, winning numerous industry awards. In 1999, he was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association and throughout his life he enjoyed countless travels, social functions, cultural events, and family gatherings.
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He is survived by his wife Melody deGuzman Barsales, daughters Melissa (Matthew Paradise) and Melinda (Stefan Wicks), grandson Hayden Anthony Kergosien, brothers Nicholas (Norma) and Porfirio Barsales, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Texas, followed by a lunch reception at the Msgr. Jamail Family Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Pete's name to the University of the Philippines Alumni Association or to the American Heart Association.