Ernesto Salamon Tantay

Ernesto Tantay Sr., whom most of the family knows as “Tatay,” was born on November 6, 1932, in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. He passed away on December 2, 2025, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family who will always remember him. He was the son of Mariano and Arcadia Tantay and the younger brother of Felix Tantay, aka “Peping.”

At the age of seven, Tatay Ernesto moved with his family to Sangandaan, Caloocan City. He carried a strong work ethic from a young age. He began his career at Ventura Iron Works, where he gained the skills and confidence that eventually led him to establish his own business, N. Tantay Iron Works, a source of pride and accomplishment in his life.

Tatay Ernesto shared 63 beautiful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Maria Conception Paed Tantay, affectionately called “Nanay” by the family. They met through his father’s cousins and traveled to Aliaga, Pangasinan, the home and province of Maria’s family, where Lolo Mariano wanted Maria to be Tatay Ernesto’s wife—a union the family called pinagkasundo or reto. Tatay Ernesto and Nanay were married on January 7, 1950, in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, beginning a lifetime of love, partnership, and devotion to their family.

On February 12, 1967, Tatay Ernesto survived a life-changing accident while working on a building in Muñoz, Quezon City. He and his helper fell from the 15th floor; his helper tragically did not survive. Tatay Ernesto was hospitalized at the Orthopedic Hospital for a full year. His survival was nothing short of miraculous, and from that day forward, he chose to celebrate February 12th as his “second birthday,” a reminder of the precious gift of life.

In February 1983, Tatay Ernesto migrated to San Diego, California, sponsored by his sister-in-law and her husband, Amelia and Ralph Moorhead. There, he continued to live out his hardworking nature as a handyman, always ready to help others with repairs and projects. He later moved to Chicago at the encouragement of his son Narciso, where he worked at Emlin Cosmetics with the help of Nora de Dios. Though he embraced the opportunity, he eventually returned to San Diego, preferring its warm climate to Chicago’s harsh winters.

Tatay Ernesto was preceded in death by his parents, Mariano and Arcadia Tantay; his brother, Peping Tantay; his beloved wife, Nanay; three of his children, Dorothy Tantay, Eliza Tantay, and Renato Tantay; his daughter-in-law, Minerva Tantay; his son-in-law, Celso Ramos; and his great-grandson, Camden James Tantay.

He is survived by his eight children: Narciso Tantay; Teresita Tantay; Priscilla Ramos; Leonora Kreun; Herminia and husband Ricardo Ames; Danilo and wife Cheryl Tantay; Modesto and wife Malou Tantay; and Ernesto Tantay Jr.

Tatay Ernesto also leaves behind 33 grandchildren—Merriam and husband Paul Whitmer; Neil Tantay; Cecilia and husband Edvir Mojica; Cynthia and husband Alfred Malvar; Catherine Ramos; Elaine Ramos; Samantha and husband Jorge Martinez; Richard Kreun; Edwin and wife Marisa Kreun; Richer Ames; Gemaries Ames; April Anne and husband Hermis Alcantara; Charisse and husband Tomoya Tanaka; Joanna Janine and husband Chris Bang; John Jesto Tantay; Jackielou Tantay; Eric Tantay; Chelsie Tantay; Jayden Tantay; Mark and wife Janine Tantay; Michelle Tantay; Agnes and husband Jessel Marasigan; and Ahlexis Tantay—along with 12 great-grandchildren: Guile Tantay, Clara Mojica, Althea Malvar, CJ Ramos, Elaine’s two daughters, Hudson Martinez, Emmalyn Kreun, Matthew Kreun, Hanns Alcantara, Harrell Alcantara, and Kaisen Marasigan.

Tatay Ernesto’s life was a testament to resilience, gratitude, and devotion to family. He worked with his hands, but he touched lives with his heart—steady, humble, and always willing to help. His legacy lives on through the stories, lessons, and love he shared with each generation of his family.

He will be dearly missed and forever remembered.