* Asuncion Prado; Lifelong Santa Paula Resident

Asuncion Ante Prado, a retired landscaper, died Sunday at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital after a long illness. He was 80 years old.

Prado, a lifelong Santa Paula resident, was born on Aug. 15, 1919.

During World War II, Prado served with the Army in the Pacific Theater, including stints on the Solomon Islands, the Philippines and Japan. He received the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and the Victory Medal.

After the war, he worked as a landscaper at Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion until his retirement in 1976.

Prado enjoyed sports, especially baseball. He had been an umpire for the Santa Paula Little League from 1960 to 1967.

He also enjoyed camping, and one of his favorite spots was in Yosemite National Park.

He traveled to Spain, Italy, Great Britain, the Holy Land, Australia and the Far East. He toured the eastern United States and along the Mississippi River. His favorite trips were on cruise ships once or twice a year.

He was preceded in death by brothers Antonio, Juan and Tinio.

Prado is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lucy; their two sons, Tony and Bobby; a sister, Josefina Rodriguez; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

JWitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Stetler Mortuary Chapel in Santa Paula. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at the chapel.

A funeral Mass is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Santa Paula, with burial at Santa Paula Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Stetler Mortuary in Santa Paula.