Ed was the third of six siblings. He grew up in his mother’s restaurant in the Philippines, where his love for cooking began. He graduated from Nasugbu Institute in 1956. He then completed training with the Philippine Army and eventually joined the US Navy as a mess specialist (cook) on June 4, 1965. He was among the first group of sailors to be transported out of Naval Station Sangley Point in Cavite City.
Ed returned to Nasugbu to marry the love of his life, Florencia Villaluna, on May 26, 1968. After a honeymoon in Tagaytay and Baguio City, they began their adventure as a Navy family in Bremerton, WA. He loved Bremerton instantly because of the abundance of seafood he could harvest, which was much like his hometown in the Philippines. Ed was also stationed in Virginia Beach, VA; Dunoon Scotland; Key West FL; San Diego CA; and Lemoore, CA during his 24 years in the Navy. He made many lifelong friends during his service. As a mess specialist, he continued his love of cooking for others and it allowed him a social outlet for his outgoing personality. Since “everyone has to eat,” he was able to meet just about everyone in his unit, especially when on a naval vessel out at sea.
Ed loved swimming, bowling, shooting pool, and dancing the cha cha in his younger years. He took full advantage of the northwest’s fishing, crabbing, clamming, and squidding to satiate his desire for seafood and living off of God’s bounty.
He said early on in his Navy career that he wanted to retire in Bremerton and he was able to do just that in 1989. After retirement, Ed worked an additional nine years with Kitsap Community Resources, again putting together his love of cooking and outgoing personality to serve the senior community of Kitsap County. In full retirement, he enjoyed being a fourth degree knight of The Knights of Columbus and a member of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Guild through Our Lady Star of the Sea until his health prohibited him from participating fully. His hobbies included playing the lottery, visiting the casino, wordsearches, taking walks and gardening. Ed and Flor were fortunate to travel in retirement to the Philippines, the Holy Land, Rome, and Italy, as well as Alaskan and Mediterranean Cruises. A deeply faithful Catholic, he prayed The Angelos, The Divine Mercy Prayer, and Rosary daily and watched mass via the EWTN network.
Throughout life, Ed was known as a happy-go-lucky, outgoing, generous, and patriotic man who was a bit of a jokester. He is described by many as “the life of the party” with his great story-telling abilities, infectious smile and laugh, and propensity to sing karaoke whenever the opportunity presented itself. His singing style was influenced by greats like Elvis, The Platters and Nat King Cole- romantic and smooth. He loved to bust out a verse of The Star Spangled Banner as much as he loved to dance to Hip Hop Hurray and Don’t Worry Be Happy.
Ed is survived by Florencia, his wife of 52 years, and their 4 children; Edwin Cabalfin in Bremerton, WA; Marie (Chad) Hunt in Madison, WI; Desiree (Kent) Senffner in Portland, OR; and Edna Cabalfin in Bremerton, WA. He is also survived by his five siblings and eight grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish on January 14, 2021 at 11 a.m. Viewing will be at 9:30 a.m. and Rosary at 10:30 a.m. A private burial at Miller Woodlawn Cemetery is scheduled immediately following the mass. The family asks that those who want to attend follow local and federal guidelines regarding Covid19 when determining ability to attend. Given the nature of Ed’s passing, we want to continue to stress the importance of keeping our friends and loved ones safe. In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider a donation to The Knights of Columbus at Our Lady Star of the Sea who has helped the Cabalfin family greatly during this time of grief.
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