Artemio N. Cagata

Artemio N Cagata passed away at the age of 90 on Thursday 9/14/23.
Born on June 14, 1933 in the town of Tudela, Province of Misamis Occidental,
Philippines to Margarito (municipal treasurer) and Oliva (teacher). He was the oldest of
6 children. His siblings (all girls) included (from oldest to youngest): Perla, Aurora,
Norma, Editha, Solita. He was affectionately known as Tem.
Tem started his life as most boys do but, at around age 9, his life was interrupted by
World War 2. Due to the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, his family had to
seek shelter in the mountains. For most people, this would have been a frightening
experience, however, his account of the event was one of excitement and play. He
described it as a fun-filled community with other families joining them. He played with
the other children, climbed trees, played with animals.
Once the Americans drove the Japanese out of the country and the war ended, he
excitedly returned to school and eventually graduated from Southwest University
Medical School in 1960. He was a General Practitioner, eventually opened the Cagata
General Clinic and served his community proudly.
He met Carina (known by her friends as Caring) de la Calzada shortly after completing
his studies. They eventually married on January 5, 1963, and began their 60-year,
loving adventure. Their family expanded soon after they wed, starting with Ardel (‘63),
Jay (‘65), and Sibyl (‘69).
Although their life in the Philippines was happy and rewarding, they bravely brought the
family to the United States in the early 1970s to pursue the American Dream. They
lived initially in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They later moved briefly to Steubenville,
Ohio, at which time he was contacted by a former classmate, Joseph Larosa, and
decided to move the family to Louisville, Kentucky.
Tem loved life and lived life to the fullest. Once he arrived in the States, he continued
to work in healthcare until retirement in 2001. He was an active member of the Fil-Am
Society of Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana, and was a board member for
several years. He was, at one time, a member of the American College of International
Physicians (ACIP). He liked to fish, golf, garden, boxing, and, like all Filipinos, loved to
Karaoke endlessly. His favorite activity since retirement was to get together with
friends on the weekends to eat and karaoke all night long.
Everyone who knew him would agree that he was a good man. Some of the words
used to describe him are thoughtful, humble, kind, patient, always happy, soft-spoken,
understanding. He has touched all our lives in some way or form. He will be missed
terribly but he will always be in our hearts and a beacon for our souls.
He is survived by his wife, Caring, and his children: Ardel (Kirsten), Jay (Carrie), and
Sibyl (Steve); grandchildren: Collin, Ethan, Camryn; step grandchildren: Chris,
Cameron, Kingsley; and sisters: Solita and Aurora. He is preceded by his father
(Margarito), his mother (Oliva), and his sisters (Perla, Norma, Editha).
Visitation will be from 9:30 - 10:30 am EST on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at St.
Bernadette Catholic Church, 6500 Saint Bernadette Ave, Prospect KY.
Followed by a Catholic funeral mass at 10:30 am EST. The funeral mass will be live
streamed on www.stb2008.org
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to St. Bernadette Catholic
Church - https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-3429?tab=home
(Click on “memorial fund” near the bottom of the page)