Esteban Encinas
Esteban Ello Encinas
October 19, 1940 – April 19, 2025
Esteban Ello Encinas was born on October 19, 1940, in Naga City, Philippines. He was lovingly raised by his mother, Virginia Ella Rosana (Mama Viring), and his devoted titas—Evangeline, Puring, Helen, Alice, and Lily. Growing up near his beloved Mount Isarog, Esteban attended Naga Parochial School (Class of 1953) and Ateneo de Naga (Class of 1957), where he served as a proud Knight of the Altar. Esteban held fast to his roots throughout his life and remained a proud Bicolano.
In 1963, Esteban earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila.
An avid tennis player, it was on the court that he met the love of his life, Remedios “Remie” Eleazar Catabas, while giving her tennis lessons. The two fell in love and were shortly married on June 5, 1965.
Esteban’s early career took him to Air America, where he served as a mechanical engineer during the Vietnam War. In 1968, he and Remie bravely emigrated to the United States with their two young children, Estella and Eric. Upon settling in California, Esteban began working as a Sears Roebuck and Company data processor. There, the family grew with the arrival of two more daughters, Eleanor and Evelyn.
Together, Esteban and Remie pursued several entrepreneurial ventures, from opening a Filipino restaurant to running a thriving handbag wholesale business at the California Mart in downtown Los Angeles. These projects reflected Esteban’s deep commitment to building a future for his family.
When he wasn’t working or spending time with his loved ones, Esteban could often be found at Echo Park with his barkadas (buddies) from the Echo Park Tennis Club. He also found joy in action movies, writing in his journals, and singing along to Frank Sinatra—his voice always full of heart.
On April 19, 2025, Esteban passed away peacefully in Los Angeles. He is now reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Remie; his mother, Mama Viring; and his two brothers, Dan and Francis.
His four children survive Esteban: Estella (Spouse: Jośe, Deceased Spouse: Armando), Eric (Spouse: Libby), Eleanor, and Evelyn (Spouse: Marko); eleven grandchildren: Ruben Jr., Craig (Spouse: Paravee), Vanessa, Rochelle, Madeline (Spouse: Joseph), Autumn, Luna, Luka, Lana, Evan, and David; and five great-grandchildren: Isaac, Juliet, Halle, Eli, and Charlie. He also leaves behind his siblings: Adelwisa, Cecilia, Marilyn, Susan, Lourdes, Ricardo, Maria Luisa, Teresa, and Cenon.
He will be remembered for his kindness, wisdom, humor, and devotion to family—a legacy that will live on through all who knew and loved him.
Celebrating the Life of Esteban
Please join us in honoring and remembering Esteban on
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Five Decades of the Rosary, 9:30 AM, and Funeral Mass, 10:00 AM
St. Thomas More Parish
2510 S. Fremont Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91803
Following the service, we will proceed to the burial/vigil by 11:30 AM:
Resurrection Cemetery
966 Potrero Grande Drive
Rosemead, CA 91770
Reception
NBC Seafood Restaurant
404 S Atlantic Blvd
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Your love, support, and prayers mean the world to us—thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“Bicolano Ini”
-Esteban
“Bicolano Ini” translates to “This is Bicolano”.
A proud and simple declaration of Esteban’s Bicolano identity.