Ephraim Castillo Braga, affectionately known as "Boying" to family and friends passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on August 6, 2024. Ephraim was born February 13, 1957 in Quezon City, Philippines. He came to the US in 1972 where the family resided in Santa Cruz, California. From 1973-1974, Ephraim lived in Stockton where he met his wife, Marylene Ayupan. They were married on February 27, 1982 and began their married life in Salinas, California where their two sons, Jordan Daniel and Chad Alexander were born. After eight years, they moved to Fresno, California where they continue to reside today.
Ephraim primarily worked in the eyeglass manufacturing industry since high school which led to a 29 year career in Optical Sales with Kaiser Permanente. In the late 1990s, Ephraim led his family to attend Clovis Hills Community Church in which he was blessed to participate in ministries, Bible studies and conferences. Ephraim had a passion for basketball. He enjoyed playing the game, coaching, mentoring and officiating games. Although he lived on the West Coast, Ephraim's all time favorite NBA team was the Boston Celtics.
Ephraim is survived by his beloved wife, Marylene, his sons, Jordan (Marisol), Chad (Nancy), grandsons, Ethan, Gavin and Lucas, his brothers, Joel Braga (Pam) and Samuel Braga, his sisters, Gemeline Calingo and Elizabeth Millares (Jose), his mother-in-law, Helen Ayupan, in-laws - Mary Grace Minor (Jeff), Marylou Refuerzo (Ben), Mark Ayupan (Sindi), Gertrude Cogo (Rick), and Marilou Ayupan, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, the late Honisimo and Edna Braga, sister-in-law, Nerisa Braga (Sam), brother-in-law, Luis Calingo (Gemeline), and brother-in-law, Steven Ayupan (Marilou).
Ephraim "Boying" Braga was a beloved husband, loving father and grandfather. He was a good, honest hard-working man who was generous and kind to family and friends. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
A visitation for Ephraim will be held Monday, August 19, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave, Fresno California 93720. A Celebration of Life will occur Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair Funeral Home.
