Joe told me beautiful stories about his dad while he was training my boys in basketball during the covid days. What a great man! Please accept my condolences. The memory of those we love is always with us. Your wonderful relationship with your dad is inspirational. May his soul Rest in Peace. Amen.

We fondly call him “Tio Emin,” with Filipinos it means Uncle Emin, who always held a special place in our hearts in my family. My mother and his siblings grew up together. He grew up in Tabacco, Albay and my mother in the neighboring town, Tiwi Albay, but they often visited each other. He was known to be an avid dancer, he often visited Tiwi to attend town gatherings at the local Town Hall just to dance the pantomina, tango, cha cha, and other local dances celebrated at the time. Here in the U.S., Tio Emin introduced me and my family to the Bicol Association of Metropolitan Washington DC wherein I became involved in their medical/surgical mission to the Philippines which he joined as well and we were together one time in the Bicol Province serving the underserved population of his province. During our fundraising events he always managed to capture the dance floor, always the celebrity where every lady of the evening would fall in line just to dance with him. I was one of those ladies. Having the privilege to dance the cha cha with him always made my evening! 
As a young child, my son Michael, his Godson, was always excited to visit with him. At the age of 2, he would always call out his name, even while we were attending mass in the church. When we were visiting from Connecticut, as soon as our car reached their driveway in Alexandria, Mikey would excitedly call out “Tio Emin, Tio Emin” and he would demand to unbuckle his car seat so he could run out to Tio Emin! 
These are only the few of the many fond memories that we will always treasure and keep in our hearts. 
You will be missed my dear uncle. I can only surmise you are probably already dancing in heaven, in reunion with your other siblings who went back home ahead of you. 
We love you. May you rest in peace. 
To his family: our deepest condolences!

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Villar family.  During his time in Chicago,  I remember Tito Ben making his home so welcoming to family and friends. I will always remember the incredible man, father and friend. RIP

My dad, Fermin, loved sharing stories of his basketball days. Growing up, I'd listen to him recount summers spent playing from dawn till dusk on clay or muddy courts in Tabaco, Albay, Philippines, near the majestic Mayon Volcano. Despite the scenic backdrop and Pacific breeze, the air truly vibrated with the sound of a worn, patched basketball, surrounded by sweating kids who lived for the game.

On that court, he was "Ben." Not tall at 5'7", but he was the heart and engine of the Tabaco City team. As a coach and player, he moved like lightning, always a step ahead, confounding taller opponents. Ben had an almost magical intuition for where the ball would be, and his unique jump shot, though perhaps unconventional, always found the net. He was their top scorer, rebounder, and assist leader—a true all-around player before the term existed.

Even decades later, I could see the love for the game in his eyes as he described weaving through defenders, the ball practically glued to his hand. He'd tell me that even when the early '40s brought global tensions, the court offered him peace. It was his way of uplifting everyone's spirits.

But for my dad, the real joy wasn't the cheering crowds. It was those quiet evenings when he'd share his wisdom. "The dribble is the key, Joseph," he'd impart. "Control the ball. That's the heartbeat of the game. It's how you talk to the ball, how you make it your friend."

For him, basketball was far more than a game; it was a profound lesson in control, connection, and finding pure joy in life's simplest things. He lived by that lesson, both on and off the court, his entire life. It was through him sharing this passion that it sparked my own, and now, it's a shared joy for my kids too, whether playing or just watching the game. That dedication he showed, and the precious time he took to share what he loved – that's something I will always, always cherish and remember.

Love you, Poops.

Rest in peace Mr. Villar. May the Good Lord shine upon you with His Loving grace forever in His paradise in heaven.

🙏🏻God  rest his soul. It was a great to meet your dad in the late 1980s.  I know he was a great father to all three of you and will truly be missed.  

Blessings to  the Villar  family.

OBITUARIO

Fermin Loyola Villar

11 marzo, 1927 – 12 mayo, 2025

Demaine Funeral Home

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