Edwin and Candy Banacia

of Pensacola, FL by way of Bais City, Negros Oriental, Philippines who entered the

Kingdom of Heaven on January 13, 2021. Dig out some change from that linty part of

your pocket or that ash tray no one uses anymore in the car and give him some money.

After all, “You never know who Jesus is,” one of many life lessons that Ed Sr passed

along freely. While Ed lingers there in mind, remember his better half, Candy Banacia,

age 66, of Pensacola, FL. Born in Columbus, Ohio on April 26,1954, this year on

January 20, she joined her husband shortly after he passed. She was the bedrock of the

family home and the type of person to run into a burning building to save the family dog

– A heroic moment that grew in mythical lore during every holiday. She was also the

loudest opposition against any new pets until day two when her secret weakness would

be revealed, and the new dog would be discovered snuggled up next to her in bed. She

was also quite a shopaholic, as long as everything in the cart averaged one dollar. And

she personally inspected every slot machine from Alabama and Mississippi to Atlantic

City, just to make sure others who played on the machine after her had a fair chance of

winning. While her husband was away at sea serving in the U.S. Navy, she made a

home full of love. She took her son to baseball games and karate class and with an

unmatched subtlety prepared her daughter for the double-dealing games boys played

on innocent young ladies as teenagers. Well into adulthood, her grown children would

escape the pressures of their daily lives to visit home to enjoy her running her hands

through their hair while lying in her inviting lap. While mom was more comfortable at

home, dad was often the life of any party. Lovingly referred to as Mr. Miyagi, not just

because of the doppelganger resemblance, moreover, he was a local beloved pop

culture icon. With the same infectious smile and kind heart combined with ancient

eastern philosophy, Ed Sr was the dad everyone wished they had. When you lose

someone like a father or mother, you wish you had appreciated them more. Be kind to

yourself. As Miyagi said, “Sometimes what heart know, head forget.”

Ed retired as SKCS, Senior Chief, United States Navy after serving in the Vietnam War

for a country he had yet to earn citizenship in. The experience was a profound one as

he frequently recalled his time aboard the USS Anchorage (LSD-36) which was tasked

with transporting Marines (Both U.S. and South Vietnamese) to and from shore on small

craft at Da Nang, Cam Rahn Bay, Vũng Tàu and An Thoi. He never forgot the young

faces of those troops nor the shelling his ship would endure. Later when he had secured

citizenship, his patriotism had only grown stronger for a country that had found a new

son. He was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church, a Freemason, founding

member of Travelers of Pensacola and Fil Am of Pensacola. He enjoyed singing

karaoke with “the gang,” talking politics with his arrogant liberal son, and spending time

with his dogs Charlie, Chief and Riley.

He is preceded in death by his parents Remedios Jamito and Bienvenido Banacia,

sister Carmencita and brothers Wilfredo, Nelson, Bienvenido Jr and Felipedrito Banacia.

Candy retired as a Certified Nursing Assistant, but held countless jobs to support her

children when they asked for the latest new kicks, tie-dye shirts and the many fashion

trends of the 80’s and 90’s. Her pride was in her children, not in climbing to the top of

any industry.

She is preceded in death by her mother Barbara Bowling, brother Eugene Hamilton,

sister by choice Debra Amodo and large extended southern family too many to list.

Ed and Candy are survived by their son Edwin Jamito Banacia Jr., daughter Rebecca

Barberi, son-in-law, Richard Barberi and grandchildren Tristyn and Nathan Barberi. Also

their god-children, Romeo Amodo Jr and Basilica Thompson. Ed is also survived by his

sisters Sabrina, Melba, Carlota, Glenda, Carwin, their spouses, and countless nieces

and nephews.

A visitation for Edwin and Candy will be held Sunday, January 31, 2021 from 5:00 PM to

7:00 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506.

A funeral mass will occur Monday, February 1, 2021 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at

Little Flower Catholic Church, 6495 Lillian Highway, Pensacola, FL 32506.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared

at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pensacola-fl/edwin-and-candy-banacia-

10007193 for the Banacia family.