[Taxacom] Leonardo Co passed away

[Hidenobu Funakoshi]

Dear Friends,


It is with great sadness and sorrow to inform you that Leonardo L. Co,  
Philippine's leading and prominent botanist died yesterday afternoon  
(Nov 15 2010) when he, together with two other members of his field  
team, were caught in a crossfire between the Philippine Army and armed  
groups in the forests of Leyte.  Leonard was in Leyte for another  
project with Energy Development Corporation, to locate sources of  
planting materials for the forest restoration projects of the  
company.  Until the end, Leonard was working to protect the forest he  
loved and how to restore them.  He died with his boots on.

His wife Glenda will fly to Ormoc tomorrow to bring Leonard back to  
Manila.  EDC is taking care of arrangements to make this traumatic  
experience bearable for the family.  From the airport, his body will  
be brought to Funeraria Paz, Araneta Ave., QC.

Tentatively, his wake will be at F. Paz until Thursday and he will be  
brought to UP Diliman Campus where a necrological service will be  
undertaken to honor and remember him.  He will be buruied on  
Saturday.  Arrangements will be finalized when Glenda learns from  
Leonard's parents and siblings if they have other plans.  Some are in  
the US and they will be asked if they would want to return for the  
wake/burial.

We will keep you posted on these developments.

Leonard is survived by Glenda and their only daughter, Linnaei Marie.

Let's pray for the eternal repose of his soul.   H.Funakoshi

H.Funakoshi

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Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade wind in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.        -Mark Twain

Hidenobu Funakoshi, Ph.D
Graduate School of Science, Shinshu University
E-mail: sirius at flora.plala.or.jp
MAIL TO :Maison Azalea A-101, 271-13 Okada-Matsuoka,
                Matsumoto 390-0312 Japan
Cell phone : +81-90-4956-3962
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7806221@N05/