Carlos "Baby" Mirasol Tan Jr.

Carlos “Baby” Mirasol Tan, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at his hospice in Napa, California on February 5, 2024. He was born on January 6, 1938, in Manila, Philippines to Senator and former Ambassador Carlos S. Tan, Sr. and Isabel Mirasol Tan. He grew up in San Francisco from the age of 11, where he graduated from St. Ignatius High School. He went on to study at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. where he was a key member of the Georgetown Track Team. A gifted runner, he set numerous school records and the California high school state record for the 400m event and was awarded a full scholarship to Georgetown. Upon graduation from Georgetown in 1960, he was one of a few select Filipinos admitted to Harvard University’s Business School, where he earned his MBA in 1962. Upon graduating, he returned to Manila, where he worked with other young technocrats in the Program Implementation Agency. He then served first as Director of Project Evaluation and subsequently as Vice President in the House of Investment, an affiliate of the Yuchengco group. It was in Manila where he met and married Purisima Kalaw Katigbak, with whom he was married for 27 years. Their union produced three children, Maria-Isabel “Miel” Tan Pedersen, Carlos Jose “Brandy” Tan, III, and Noelle Marie Tan. Carlos and Puri moved their family to Washington, D.C. in 1971, where Carlos took up numerous positions at the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group. In a storied IFC career, he served in numerous capacities overseeing at various times Asia and the Middle East and spearheading many of IFC’s early strategic expansions and investments in those regions, particularly the Thailand and South Korean markets, and opening their Bangkok office. After retiring from IFC, he served as President and CEO of Bumble Bee Seafoods in San Diego, California. He continued to provide consulting services post-retirement and returned to IFC to steer special restructuring projects during the Asian Financial Crisis. An avid wine lover, he eventually retired full time to Napa Valley, California. Carlos lived a full and adventurous life. He was defined by his many passions, including wine, food, golf, music, skiing, and his beloved Harley Davidsons. He and his Harleys crisscrossed the U.S. regularly, attending rallies in Sturgis and Miami and joining the Bangkok Immortals on overseas riding trips. He was a curious intellectual and an intrepid traveler, constantly seeking new experiences. Carlos is survived by Puri, his three children Miel, Brandy and Noelle, his son-in laws Henrik Pedersen and Frankie Vernon, his daughter in law Maria Decsey Tan, his five grandchildren, Amanda Pedersen, Sofia Pedersen, Christian Pedersen, Amelie Decsey Tan and Carlos Alexandre Decsey Tan, IV, his brother Ricardo Tan and his sister Lourdes “Lulu” Tan Leikas. He will return home to the Philippines to be buried in Manila Memorial Cemetery with his parents.

Carlos "Baby" Mirasol Tan Jr.

January 6, 1938 - February 5, 2024