Florencio Encabo Hembrador

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

— Matthew 25:23

Some lives are remembered not because they demanded attention, but because they quietly and faithfully made the lives of others better. Such was the life of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, and friend.

A man of deep faith, he trusted God throughout every season of his life. His faith was not something he proclaimed loudly, but something he lived each day through his actions, his character, and his devotion to his family. He believed God would provide, and that trust guided him through both blessings and challenges.

As a young man, he dreamed of attending college, but when that path was no longer available to him, he looked for another way forward. Determined to create a better future, he joined the United States Navy, seeing it as an opportunity to build a life filled with possibility. Serving as a cook aboard a ship, he embraced the discipline, hard work, and responsibility that would become hallmarks of his character. Through that decision, America eventually became his new home and the place where he would build a future for generations to come.

Before joining the Navy, he met the woman who would become the love of his life. He courted her the old-fashioned way—with patience, respect, and genuine affection. Family members often smile when recalling the story of their courtship, told by his beloved wife to their grandchildren, that she did most of the talking while he quietly listened. It was a fitting reflection of the man he was: thoughtful, attentive, and never one to seek the spotlight.

A few years after joining the Navy, they were married, beginning a partnership that would span a lifetime. Through the opportunities his military service provided, he was eventually able to bring his wife and their children to the United States. That courageous step laid the foundation for future generations and created opportunities that would forever shape the lives of the family he loved so dearly.

Together, they built a life rooted in hard work, sacrifice, and faith. In California, they opened a small Filipino market, serving their community while raising their family. Through long hours and dedicated work, they created not only a livelihood but also a place where many could find a connection to home. When larger competitors began to emerge, he remained calm and steadfast, reassuring his wife that everything would be okay. His confidence came not from circumstances, but from his trust in God.

After years of hard work, he and his beloved wife spent their retirement years dividing their time between California and the Philippines, spending six months in each place so they could remain close to the family they loved so deeply.

Family was always at the center of his life.

He was a devoted husband who seemed happiest standing just behind his wife, supporting her and encouraging her every step of the way. He never sought recognition for himself. Instead, he found joy in seeing those he loved flourish. His love was steady, humble, and enduring—a quiet example of selflessness that inspired everyone who knew him.

As a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he demonstrated his love not through grand gestures, but through his constant presence. He cared for his grandchildren during summer breaks, picked them up from school, prepared meals, and created memories that would last a lifetime. Many fondly remember waking up on Saturday mornings to hear a familiar and joyful announcement:

“Donuts!” Simple moments like these became cherished traditions and lasting reminders of his love.

He was known for his discipline, consistency, and dependability. A man of routine, he brought comfort and stability to those around him. Though he was a man of few words, when he spoke, his humor often brought laughter and joy to family gatherings.

Many will also remember the familiar sounds that accompanied his presence—his whistling and singing. Our mom often shared with the grandchildren that many of the songs he sang were love songs, a fitting reflection of the faithful love that defined his life. In many ways, his life itself became a love song: a song of devotion to God, to his beloved wife, to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and to the family he cherished above all else.

His legacy lives on not only through the family he leaves behind, but through the values he embodied every day: faith, humility, service, loyalty, discipline, perseverance, and love.

While his absence leaves a profound emptiness in the hearts of those who loved him, there is comfort in knowing that he has gone home to the Lord he served so faithfully.

May his memory continue to inspire future generations, and may he rest in the eternal peace of Christ.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”