Dr Bromeo Zarate Mortera, 96, of Newtown, passed away peacefully alongside his children on Sunday, December 22, 2019, at Danbury Hospital. Born January 29, 1923, in the farming province of Villasis Pangasinan, Philippines, he was one of eight siblings. He was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after taking care of his younger brother.

Dr Mortera received his medical degree from University of Santo Tomas in Manila. During this time, he met his wife, Trinidad Pacis, and with her support, he completed his internship and residency training at Leonard Hospital in Troy, N.Y.; Sharon General Hospital in Pennsylvania; and Youngstown Hospital in Ohio. He returned home to his native Philippines, where he chose to practice in the indigent community of Los Baños, Laguna, as an OB-GYN and a general practitioner. After a few years of practicing in Guam and Saipan, he settled in Newtown in 1983, where he spent the rest of his career at Fairfield Hills Hospital until his retirement.

His love for life, saving people, and the casino will forever be remembered by his family and friends.

Dr Mortera is survived by his seven children, six of whom he delivered himself, and their spouses: Evelyn Mortera of Dededo, Guam; Bronida and Cenon Agustin of Beaverton, Ore.; Thelma and Romeo Hernandez of Richmond, Va.; Romeo and Gloria Mortera of Portland, Ore.; Herbert and Dr Lalaine Mortera of Newtown, Conn.; Archie Mortera of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Elmer and Sabina Mortera of Fremont, Calif. He has 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown on Saturday, December 28, at 10 am. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown on Friday, December 27, from 4 to 8 pm.