Wilfredo C. Aqui, Sr.

Dr. Wilfredo “Willie” Cabusas Aqui, Sr., 76, of Fleming Island, Florida, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the Community Hospice Center, after complications from cancer.

Dr. Aqui was born May 15, 1943 to parents, Frederico and Francesca Aquino in Binalonan, Pangasinan, Philippines. He received his Doctorate in Medicine from Far Eastern University. In 1969, he immigrated to the U.S. and moved to Newark, New Jersey to complete his residency training in Radiology. Dr. Aqui moved the family to two cities in North Dakota to start his medical practice. In 1978, tired of "digging his car out of the snow" and realizing that the frozen tundra was no place for Filipinos, the family moved to Williston, Florida. There, his medical practice flourished, and he was known to the community simply as "Dr. Aqui."

He had medical practices in Williston, as well as in the neighboring towns of Bronson, Archer, Dunnellon, Ocala, and Leesburg. He also served as the Chief of Staff at Williston Memorial Hospital. After nearly 21 years of practicing medicine, he relocated to the Fleming Island area in Orange Park, where has enjoyed retirement living. His pride and joy was his family--his loving wife, Amelia, of 54 years; his seven children; and his three grandsons. Dr. Aqui had transitioned from his multiple medical practices to a more laid back way of life at the “River House”. Over the years, he developed a passion for, and gained extensive knowledge of growing persimmons and orchids and various other tropical plants. He was the owner of Willie's Sweet Persimmons, the largest U-Pick Persimmon Farm in north Florida.

Dr. Aqui is survived by his spouse, Amelia; children, Wilfredo Aqui, Jr., Amie Aqui, Jonathan Aqui (Gina), Del Aqui, Vivien McWilliams (Scotty), Beverly Aqui and Leah Aqui; grandsons, Grant Aqui, Zachary Aqui, and Max Parrish; mother, Francesca Aquino and sisters, Susan Aqui, Agnes Aqui, and Cleofe Apolonia (Lito).

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 22, 2019 with the family will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with services immediately following from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, with Reverend Gregory Grant officiating, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073, (904) 264-1233.

Guests are invited to join the family for lunch at the Orange Buffet, at 475 Blanding Bouvard, Orange Park, Florida 32073, at the conclusion of the service.

The Aqui Family would like to thank Northeast Community Hospice Center staff, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257 and the medical staff at both Orange Park Medical Center, 2001 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073 and Mayo Clinic Hospital, 4500 San Pablo Road South, Jacksonville, Florida 32224 for their care. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to any of these medical facilities on behalf of the Aqui family’s loved one, Dr. Aqui.

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