Dr. Graciano P. Gancayco

    Graciano Puyal Gancayco, MD of Damascus Maryland, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on April 26, 2021. 

    Dr. Gancayco (Bert), was born on August 1, 1933 in the Philippines. He was the youngest and the last surviving child of the 7 children of Santiago and Felicidad Gancayco. He received his medical degree from The University of Santo Thomas, Philippines. In 1959, he married his childhood sweetheart Maria Javellana.  The couple immigrated to the United States in 1960 and became the Gancayco Family’s “First Americans.”  He completed a residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital, Washington DC then a fellowship in adolescent medicine and obesity at The City of Hope Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Gancayco opened pediatric offices in Damascus and Silver Spring, Maryland, and practiced medicine until he retired in 2013 when he was 80 years old. He was the first chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Montgomery General Hospital and many residents of Damascus fondly claim that he was their doctor and their children’s doctor. 

    Dr. Gancayco’s family and friends will know him for his humor and generosity. His house was always open for visits and extended stay for his many nieces and nephews from the Philippines. For many his home was the gateway to America. He embraced his role as the patriarch for the Gancayco Family in the United States and many enjoyed parties at his home lavishly decorated for the holidays.

    Above all Dr. Gancayco will be known as a devoted husband and father. He provided his seven sons with first class educations and their childhoods wanted very little. Most importantly he loved and respected their mother throughout their 60-year marriage. Their loving union is an example for all.

    He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria (Mia) Javellana Gancayco, and his daughter Maria Rose. Graciano is survived by his seven sons: Robert Gancayco, MD (Meni), Theodore Gancayco, MD (Crystol), Rev. Richard Gancayco, George Gancayco, MD (Jamie), James Gancayco, LCDR (ret.) (Geraldine), Dr. Peter Gancayco, DPT (Abby), and Lt Col. John Gancayco, MD (Ela), and 19 grandchildren.

The family will receive friends 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021, at Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, Maryland, still complying with Covid 19 guidelines only a limited number of people will be admitted and must wear an adequate face covering or a mask, and observing social distance, at the funeral home and at the Church.  There will be a brief visitation with family at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church 9240 Damascus Road, Damascus, Md., on Saturday, May 8, from 9:00 a.m. until a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. by Reverend Richard Gancayco, Dr. Gancayco’s son.  Interment will follow in All Souls Cemetery Germantown.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Center for Independence Northwest
100 W. Plainfield Road Countryside, Illinois 60525
or online at cfimove.org

Online condolences may be shared with his family on our website at www.molesworthwilliams.com

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