OFFICIALS and personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) have expressed their condolences to the family of Conrado F. Estrella Sr., the department’s first and longest serving secretary.
Estrella died in his sleep at the family house in Manila on Tuesday. He was 93.
He is survived by his wife, the former Sergia Bautista, children Conrado Jr., Jimmy, Bernadette Arellano and Noemi E. Casino, sister Carmencita E. Gonzales and grandchildren, former Pangasinan Rep. Conrado III, Abono Partylist Rep. Robert Raymond and TV host Drew Arellano, among others.
He was cremated a day after his death at the Arlington Memorial Chapel on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City in compliance with his death wish. The urn containing his ashes is currently at the Christ the King Chapel C, Green Meadows, Pasig City.
The former Pangasinan governor served as agrarian reform chief under the administration of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos from September 10, 1971 up to April 30, 1986, two months after the popular “1986 People Power Revolution.”
He was at its helm for 14 years, seven months and 20 days. He was the governor of the defunct Land Authority from January 1966 until it was remained into what is now
known as the DAR.
A family aide said that Estrella, who was born on August 19, 1917, had no known major ailment before death. But he underwent heart bypass operation several years
ago. -30- PAS, DAR
