CNMI mourns passing of Labor official San Nicolas

The CNMI is mourning the passing of Department of Labor official Gil Jose Manibusan San Nicolas, who worked at Labor for over 30 years. He died last Sunday morning at his home in Tanapag due to cardiac arrest.

San Nicolas, 55, was the Labor enforcement director at the time of his death. He used to serve as Labor secretary during the term of then-governor Benigno R. Fitial.

San Nicolas is survived by his wife, CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice’s secretary Irene Teregeyo San Nicolas, three children—Reneacia Ann, Gilbert Joaquin, and Catherine Elisa.

Gilbert Joaquin San Nicolas is a Marine staff sergeant based in San Diego, California. He is arriving on Saipan this Saturday.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said Gil was a hardworking and knowledgeable public servant who was loyal to Labor and his colleagues. Torres said Gil truly believed in the work and in the enforcement of labor laws.

“I have gotten to know him really well these last few years, and he really was a great man who cared about his family and his colleagues within DOL and in government,” the governor said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife Irene, and his family. He will be very missed.”

Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente said Wednesday that the passing of good friend and colleague, Gil, came as a shock to all.

Benavente said Gil worked for more than 30 years in the department, first known as the Department of Labor and Immigration, and also Commerce and Labor.

She said Gil’s many years of experience, as a Labor law enforcement officer, division director, and as a former Labor secretary, guided the various government administrations through some turbulent times.

“He was the calm presence amidst a booming economy, austerity measures, department transformations, and the enactment of numerous laws and statutes,” Benavente said.

Benavente said Gil performed his duties to the best of his ability, treated everyone equally, and was a tough enforcement officer who did not tolerate abuse of employees by any employer.

“We will also miss his sense of humor and the jokes he’d crack just to break the tension in our department meetings,” the Labor secretary said.

Irene San Nicolas related Wednesday that on that fateful Sunday morning, her husband was getting ready for work due to the government’s ongoing typhoon recovery efforts.

Irene said she was sleeping in their bedroom when Gil went to the kitchen to prepare coffee and had a cardiac arrest.

Irene called 911. At 7:20am a physician declared him dead at CHC’s emergency room due to “sudden cardiac arrest.”

Irene said she was blessed to have Gil as her husband. “He was respectable. He was my best friend, my everything. He just did everything for me and our children.”

Irene said she and Gil had been together for 38 years, with 30 of those years married to each other. Irene said she and Gil started dating when they were classmates in 10th grade at Mt. Carmel High School.

As a father to their children. Irene described him as the best. “He’s such a family man to our kids and grandkids.”

The family has been offering a Mass of intention and holy rosary at Sta. Remedios Church in Tanapag since Monday morning and evening.

On Monday at 7:30am, Gil’s remains will leave the Commonwealth Health Center Chapel and will be escorted to Kristo Rai Church for viewing and last respects.

A Mass will be celebrated Monday at 11am followed by interment services at the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery, where Gil will be laid to rest.