Edwin Villanueva Gador

Oriental, Philippines, is the 4th child of Roman Fausto Gador and Eudosia

Villanueva Gador, both deceased. Edwin was preceded in death by his three elder

siblings: Jovenal, Gabriel, and Melencio. Two of his sisters--Romanita Villanueva

Gador and Erlinda Villanueva Gador Tan, are still alive.

At Tayasan Elementary School of Tayasan, Negros Oriental, Edwin finished his

primary and elementary grades. Although Edwin was a good boy but he

sometimes also acted mischievous so that his parents could not handle him

anymore. He lived with his maternal grandparents Lolo Isidoro and Lola Gorgonia

Villanueva who loved him dearly and stayed with them all of his childhood days.

Their family owns another home in Daro, Dumaguete City where he lived during

his high school years while studying at Negros Oriental High School and college

days while taking Pre-Law at Foundation University, both educational institutions

are located in Dumaguete City.

To keep themselves physically competent and alert during their college days at

Foundation University, Edwin and his buddy, Gogo (Jojo Garrovillo), his first

cousin, maintained a regular regiment of riding their bicycles daily to keep

themselves physically fit. While a Pre-Law student at Foundation University,

Edwin was an active athlete participating in soccer, gymnastics, decathlon,

and other sports, which made him popular and earned him the title of MR.

FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY, for his excellence in sports. Installed as a Corp

Commander of the University's ROTC program, added to Edwin's popularity at

Foundation University.

He married two wives, BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME, BUT ONE AT A TIME.

Edwin's first wife whom he married in 1957, was Aida Elumir, whom he met at

Foundation University studying to be a teacher and later earned a Doctor of

Education (ED) degree. Edwin and Aida settled in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental,

Philippines, after their marriage and later moved to Manila when Edwin was

offered a job by Peping Romero as an Administrative and Liaison Officer at United

Coconut Association of the Philippines. While Edwin was working, he continued to

study and earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Far Eastern University (FEU) in

Manila.

Out of this first marriage, four children were born to Edwin and Dr. Aida Gador.

Their first two children--Windy and Redlywin Elumir Gador preceded them in

death. Their two live children are Leocel and Elda. Leocel, who is a graphic

designer, is married to Marcos Borja Asprec, who is an Animator. Leocel

and Marcos gave Edwin and Dr. Aida their only granddaughter, Marlea

Asprec. Elda is a Medical Technologist in the Philippines (Clinical Laboratory

Scientist), studied and worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the US. In 1986,

Dr. Aida Gador migrated to the U.S. while her family was left in Manila. After a

couple of years, Edwin followed Dr. Aida later as a U.S. immigrant. In 1996, Leocel

and Elda were united with their parents in the U.S. On May 29, 1998, Dr. Aida

Elumir Gador died which terminated Edwin's first marriage.

After for almost four years of being single again, Edwin married again for the

second time on September 5, 2002. Edwin's new bride is Rebecca Tilawan, a

Registered Nurse and a midwife, who worked at Mindanao Sanitarium & Hospital

in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, from 1975 to 1991 and again from

2002 to 2004 after spending eleven years from 1991 to 2002 working at the

Ministry of Health Missan Hospital in Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the

U.S., Mrs. Rebecca Gador worked at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center as a

Medical-Surgical Nurse from 2005 to 2006 and from 2006 to 2022 until her

retirement as a Safety Nurse at the Patton State Psychiatric Hospital. Both

hospitals are in San Bernardino County of California.

Surrounded by his affectionate and caring wife and daughters, at 7:00 o'clock on

the morning of January 25, 2024, Edwin Villanueva Gador, 94, a resident

of Loma Linda, California, succumbed to Liver Cancer at home and returned his

breath to his Creator. He is survived by his Loving wife, Rebecca; two sisters –

Romanita Gador and Erlinda Gador Tan; two daughters-Leocel and Elda; a son-

law Marcos Borja Asprec; and the only grandchild--Marlea; and many relatives,

cousins; nephews; and nieces.

Of great interest to know of Edwin's life is the unusual coincidence that Edwin and

his two wives were born on the same month of JANUARY--Edwin, January 10; Dr.

Aida Elumir Gador, first wife, January 17; and Rebecca Tilawan Gador, second

wife, January 9. Edwin and his two wives have a common love and interest in

GARDENING.

Good night, Edwin. It will not be long we will meet and see you again at the

Blessed Resurrection Morning. WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!

A funeral service for Edwin will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Waterman Visayan Filipino-American SDA Church, 882 S. Waterman Ave., San Bernardino, California 92324. A graveside service will occur Monday, February 19, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, California 92324.