Edgardo M. Joven

Ed Joven passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, CA on Friday, January 15, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Tess Joven and his three children, Gabriel (25), Angelina (18) and Nicholas (13). He was also survived by his father Eduardo Joven, his two Sisters Elee Joven and Erica Onder, Brother Michael Joven and many other relatives (in-laws, nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts, and cousins).

He was born on February 21, 1967 in Manila, Philippines. As an infant, he moved to Guam with his Mom and Dad and grew up there throughout high school. He was the oldest of four children, so he was the big brother that they looked up to. He was a member of the Honor Society and played most of the sports in high school, his favorite being on the varsity basketball team. He was voted most valuable senior during one of the awards ceremonies and he was mostly proud of directing the legendary Senior Production. He kept in touch with most of his high school friends and attended every reunion. He was always happy seeing them and talking about the good old days and seeing the smile on his face and his enthusiasm was priceless.

After high school, he enlisted into the US Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA and as aircraft electrician for four years and during his last year is when he met his wife, Tess Joven in July 1988. He decided to quit the Navy and was honorably discharged, and he signed up for another three years of active reserve so he could move to Burbank and start a new chapter of his life. On December 18, 1993, Ed and Tess got married at St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church and lived a happy life together. They we part of a very tight-knit family so there were many get-togethers, parties, and vacations that involved family. Ed had a passion for food and cooking, especially barbequing. He loved experimenting with different seasonings until he perfected the right combination. Family loved his brisket and rib roast and it was always a request when it came down to parties.

He loved dancing to music, especially from the 70’s and 80’s, and introduced it to his children and to this day they still love the music from that era. His favorite sports team was the Lakers and he has always been a true Laker fan. He also loved the Dodgers and his favorite football team was the Buffalo Bills.

He worked different jobs after the Navy, and for the last 22 years of his life, he worked for the same company working his way up as an Engineering Technician for Abbott Laboratories, formerly St. Jude Medical where they manufacture pacemakers and defibrillators. His colleagues spoke highly of him and his contribution to the many successful projects.

The most important thing in his life was his family and he did everything for them. His three children and wife meant the world to him. Before going to work he cooked breakfast to make sure the kids had food to eat. and when he got home he would still cook dinner and always asked what they wanted to eat. He supported, watched and recorded all the shows the kids were in and even took vacation time to leave early from work to take his daughter to her dance practice.

All in all he loved life and liked to joke around and make people laugh. He liked going to different places for vacation and he was fortunate to see a lot of places when he was in the Navy and on family vacations. We had plans to see more of the world but God needed another guardian angel. He was greeted in heaven by his mother who also passed away a little over two weeks before he did, along with all the many loving relatives who waited in heaven for him to arrive. He will truly be missed by so many here on earth, but now he lives on in our hearts and we will be reminded of him from all the memories we made with him. He does not want us to be sad for him because he is in a better place, so keep celebrating him and the things he loved. May our dear departed Ed rest in peace and continue to watch over all of us.