Ernesto A. Dano

Ernesto A. Dano lived and appreciated the entire world as a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Ernesto, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Ernesto really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Ernesto was born on August 28, 1931 at home in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. His parents were Bienvenido and Zosima Dano. With Ernesto’s father untimely passing away during the Japanese occupation era had left his mother and him with very young age brother and sisters to take care of. Even as a child; Ernesto had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family. Always a good playmate, Ernesto was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles.

He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. He couldn't help but capture everyone’s attention, as he was openly received and well-liked by US Army officers and soldiers at Liberation Camp where his sister Helen and him worked to help raise the family until enough money was earned to support his sisters and himself in going for higher educations. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Ernesto managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. As Ernesto was and endured helping raised with 11 siblings 3 of which are deceased. He had Ben (deceased) Helen, Azucena (deceased), Linda, Alejandro (deceased), Artem, Percy, Bella, and after his mother remarried with step sister and brothers; Vicky, Roy and Vicente.

All of Ernesto's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Ernesto experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He liked to fish and joined friends to enjoy outdoor living every chance he got.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Ernesto was a class “cut-up.” He didn't do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Ernesto simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. Ernesto pursued “radio” operator/technician course education. It could be said that for Ernesto, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Ernesto's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory”. At least to say: He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Ernesto never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Ernesto to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Ernesto delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Ernesto was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Ernesto utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were Hector Kalagayan and Junior Yco. Later in life, he continued his friendship with Junior Yco. Ernesto loved sharing life and having home filled with people he knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Ernesto very easy to approach. On 1952 Ernesto exchanged wedding vows with Flocerfina Viguilla at San Sebastian Parish Church of Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental - Philippines. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage. Perhaps the reason Ernesto related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Ernesto was blessed with five living and one deceased; four sons, Dan, Mandy (deceased), Ernie and Glenn and 2 daughters, Loida and Gloria. They were also blessed with 13 grandchildren, Arman, Mark, Maggie, Hershey, Patrick, Jon Ryan, Kimberly Rose (deceased), Isah, Beverly, Kristel, Arielle Czarina, Glenn Jeffrey and Joshua Garrett. Ernesto had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Ernesto's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Ernesto had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Ernesto was a real “people person”; he had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Ernesto liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Ernesto was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Ernesto's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Ernesto as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was in business and sales; he was tactful when dealing with clients and competitors. Ernesto had earned absolute respect with whom he came in contact with. A witty business dealing tactician; as to his son Dan, his father was the “catalyst” for his successes in life --he was the engine behind that made him who he is today.

Ernesto enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Ernesto liked creating and making things. His favorite joys and pursuits were gardening. Ernesto was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Ernesto felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Ernesto loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Ernesto relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Ernesto never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Ernesto participated in boxing. Ernesto was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were boxing, wrestling, basketball and football but boxing and basketball were his favorites.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Ernesto recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member of St. Matthews Catholic Church for 10 years and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Also, back in the Philippines, he was an active member of the "Marriage Enrichment" in Our Lady of Fatima Parish- Binakayan.

A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, Ernesto often found himself involved in activities he deemed important. He was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, Ernesto was a member of several community groups, serving on committees for the Filipino/Senior Citizens Group - Tidewater Chapter. Naturally outgoing and bighearted, Ernesto was regularly doing things for others. For him, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Ernesto was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. Just while living in the USA some of his most prestigious awards included trophies for neighbor community’s yard of the month for years due to his natural gardening skills.

Living life in the fast lane suited Ernesto just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Disney World, Miami, New York and the Philippines. Ernesto believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 1990, Ernesto took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Ernesto remained busy with people and projects. Even in retirement, Ernesto continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Ernesto passed away peacefully in his residence in Norfolk, Virginia, on September 6, 2010. Ernesto contracted Pneumonia as a complication from a stroke. He is survived by his children, Dan Dano, Loida Garcia, Ernilito Dano, Gloria Reyes and Glenn Dano along with their mother Flocerfina Dano and spouses of the children; 3 great grandchildren and 13 grandchildren and brothers and sisters. Services were held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Ernesto was laid to rest in Colonial Grove Memorial Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Ernesto brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Ernesto A. Dano lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.