A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Oct. 5 for Espiritu O. Priela, a World War II veteran and 17-year Tracy resident. He died Wednesday, Sept. 26, at his home at the age of 91.

Mr. Priela was born Jan. 28, 1921, in Nabua Cam Sur, Philippines. While serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he was captured by Japanese troops and held as a prisoner of war, surviving the Bataan Death March. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of sergeant.

In Tracy, he was a parishioner of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and a member of Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society and the Freewheeling Club.

Survivors include 10 children, Pinky Zoha, and her husband, Shah, of Houston, Texas, Socorro Soto, and her husband, Danny, of Tracy, Carlomagno Priela, and his wife, Aleth, of San Clemente, Farah Priela of San Jose, Dr. Jocelyn Bizarro, and her husband, Dr. Ramil Bizarro, of the Philippines, Helena Rose, and her husband, Patrick, of Oregon, Espiritu Priela Jr., and his wife, Evelyn, of the Philippines, Arthur Priela, and his wife, Rose, of San Clemente, Juana Viray, and her husband, Michael Billy, of Tracy, Jeffery John Priela of Hawaii; three siblings, Dr. Jose Priela Jr., Fe Priela and Delia Duran, all of the Philippines; and 19 grandchildren.

Preceding him in death was his wife of 51 years, Josefa Priela; and parents, Juana Z. and Jose P. Priela.

The Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at St. Bernard’s, 163 W. Eaton Ave., followed by burial in Tracy Cemetery, 501 E. Schulte Road. Visitation will be observed from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, and Thursday, Oct. 4, at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Ave. An online guest book can be viewed at www.frymemorialchapel.com.