Ernesto was born February 29th, 1940. As a young boy he and his family experienced the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II. Ernesto married Herminia M. Manalili on May 25th, 1965 and had five children.
He had always been passionate about Dentistry, but he went to work early to help support his mother and nine siblings following the death of his father. He managed to work his way through college and worked his early adult years as a school teacher. He loved the opportunity to share his knowledge with his students. He apprenticed for several years to learn the craft of a dental laboratory technician. He became an expert in the construction of dentures and orthodontic appliances. He worked at Clark Airbase in the Philippines for 20 years in this field, serving the United States Air Force as a civilian employee.
Ernesto immigrated to the United States in 1994 and became a naturalized U.S. Citizen on September 22nd, 2004. He went on to work at his craft in the U.S. until he retired on November 21st, 2018 at the age of 79.
Ernesto loved to help people without hesitation and was a devout Catholic. He loved watching sports especially boxing and never missed a Manny Pacquiao fight.
Ernesto is predeceased by six of his brothers. He is survived by his loving wife Hermina, their 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
A visitation for Ernesto will be held Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Father Rafael Lavilla will serve as officiant. A committal service will follow after the funeral service at Chapel Hills. A reception will follow the graveside.
A livestream of the funeral service at noon may be viewed at https://youtu.be/C4P9pHs-YAM or https://youtu.be/rzim6WMj0LY
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com for the Cabigting family.
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