Ian Anthony Villafana, Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW/FMF), United States Navy, was born to Stanley and Kim Villafana of Bourg Mulatrese, Lower Santa Cruz, nearly 38 years ago. The middle child, of older siblings Ann Marie, Cheryl, Dave and younger sister Carlene. Stanley Villafana died when Ian was about six years old. Left with a family of young children, Kim migrated to the United States and was eventually joined by her children.
By this time Ian had attended Western Boys Primary School and started his secondary education at Fatima College. In New York he attended Brooklyn Technical High School and eventually joined the United States Navy in July 1982 where he served for twenty years until his recent retirement.
Chief Villafana has specialised in pharmaceuticals and hospital administration and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management and a Masters of Public Administration degree. At the retirement function in Jacksonville, Florida, he was presented with separate plaques from the Presidents of the United States who had been in office during his stay in the navy.
Says his aunt, Marjorie Chandleur, who went to the farewell function: "It was touching especially as his mother had had a tough job on her hands bringing up children in the United States on her own. It was a very solemn ceremony and even more touching when his mother was also presented with a navy plaque and the American flag by the navy chief."
It was during his travels in the navy that Chief Ian met his wife, Sheila (nee Rowe), in the island of Diego Garcia. They have four children. Now in retirement after 20 years of active, naval service, he says: "I plan to follow my wife as she continues her naval career in San Diego, California.