Ernesto Policarpio's Obituary
Ernesto passed away on February 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. He was 79 years old.
Ernesto was born on January 19, 1943 to Ely and Jose Policarpio. His father died within a year of Ernesto’s birth. Ely married Dan Figuracion in 1945 and over time Ernesto became “Kuya” (older brother) to four brothers and three sisters. In 1959, Ernesto remained in the Philippines to continue his schooling and eventually attended college there while his parents and siblings were stationed in the United States.
In 1971 Ernesto married Yolanda Amaranto and they had two daughters, Charmaine and Dionne, whom he loved and who were the apples of his eyes. His entire being would light up whenever he talked with his daughters, who referred to him as “Daddy Cool” because he liked singing this song to his girls.
In 1990, Ernesto moved to California where he worked in Los Angeles county until he retired. He enjoyed the warm California weather, the colorful flowers, and visiting the local mall to window shop and people watch. Eventually, he moved to Lakewood, Washington to live with his parents and to be closer to his brothers and sisters. His daughter, Charmaine, moved to Abu Dhabi UAE and Dionne moved to Sydney, Australia. While they were many miles apart, he kept in close and frequent touch with them and with his relatives in the Philippines through phone calls and Face Time. He looked forward to the calls and would brighten up whenever they talked.
Ernesto was preceded in death by his parents Jose Policarpio, Ely Figuracion and Dan Figuracion, and by his brothers Raphael and Danilo (RuthAnn).
He is survived by his daughters, Charmaine and Dionne (Luis), grandchildren Nexus and Neus, siblings Lorna, Rowena, Renato (Jolene), Adora (James), Noel (Cherie) and
Mel (Darcy) along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Some loving memories of Ernesto:
Playing the ukulele as a teenager. One of his favorite songs to play and sing was Elvis Presley’s I Want to be Free.
Bright and beautiful flowers and fruit trees and raised orchids in the Philippines.
Watching the shopping networks with his mom, and sisters, Lorna and Rowena, for jewelry—other bright and beautiful things he liked—but with bling!
Singing karaoke. At the Casa de Alegre adult family home, they called him Frank Sinatra because he could croon! Favorite songs include Quando, Quando, Quando and (I did it) My Way.
Starting his sentences with the word, Imagine…
Gallivanting around town and going to Muckleshoot casino with his friend Vic.
Watching Filipino, Korean, and other Asian dramas; watching the Seahawks win (and yelling at them when they lose).
Just hanging out at the family homestead in Southgate in Lakewood, WA and enjoying the flowers in his mother’s garden.
What’s your fondest memory of Ernesto?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ernesto?
Share a story where Ernesto's kindness touched your heart.
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