HONORATO “ATO” TIMBOL CANLAPAN, surrounded by his family, relatives and friends peacefully passed away on April 10, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV. Born on May 16, 1936, in Pampanga, Philippines to Santiago Canlapan and Marcelina Timbol. He was one of 10 children. Those who knew him fondly called him “Ato”. The absence of his father and the death of an older brother forced him to take the lead of the household and to help with the family resources. He was unable to continue his studies beyond high school because of this responsibility.
This tough experience brought him to be a hardworking, resilient, resourceful man and it fueled his drive to be successful in his future endeavors. Ato married Maxima "May" Cabiong on October 9, 1963, and together raised a family of six thereafter. Donato, Elsa, late Amelito, Christopher, late Dino (Joshua) and Noel. He established a successful wood carving business in Balibago, Angeles City, while his wife, May, worked as an accountant at Clark Air Base.
In 1991, he moved to the United States to join the rest of his family who immigrated years before. He made Las Vegas his home ever since. Not willing to be idle, Ato worked at several casinos to keep himself busy until his retirement. He was a man of great faith and was always sharing the gospel of Jesus to anyone willing to hear. His relatives and acquaintances sought after him for his powerful prayers to the sick and his testimony about his beliefs. He loved to grocery shop every day and never lost his amazement at the bountiful produce and goods at the stores. He adored his children, grandchildren, and even their friends who would come to his home. He loved to cook and that was his "love language" to them. He was a man of few words. Quiet and reserved oftentimes, but cooking a variety of dishes was his own way of communicating his love and tenderness.
Sadly, on 28 March, Ato suffered a serious heart attack and was taken to San Martin Hospital ICU. While his family was grateful that he miraculously survived, the diagnosis was grim. Damage from previous mini-heart attacks and blockages that were too severe; angioplasty could not be performed, and open-heart surgery carried its own risk for his age. Aware of the issues he faced, he firmly chose to spend his remaining life with his family without any form of interventions to keep him alive.
He went from the hospital to the home of his only daughter, Elsa. Though ill, he relished being home and away from the restrictions of tubes and monitors on him. With oxygen in tow, he would walk around and even exercise. Fiercely independent and active all his life, he insisted on getting up on his own to recover his former strength quickly. His wife and children were always around to assist him and admonish him to slow it down a bit, though. During these times, he received phone calls, visited by many well-wishers, prayed for by pastors and he talked and prayed for them as well.
Two weeks after his heart attack, his health gradually failed until that fateful evening when he finally breathed his last. Surrounded by a throng of family members, relatives and friends, they all watched and listened as he asked for everyone to be by his side and to pray Godly blessings over them and to say his final words to his wife and children.
He left behind a strong legacy of love, compassion and a deep-seated faith in God. His impact in the lives of countless people was evident by the number of people who expressed their love to him, during and after his death. His passing left a deep void in our hearts and still felt.
The Canlapan family deeply appreciates your support during these difficult times and asks that you share your own memories with our beloved "Tatang Ato" on our memorial website.
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