Ernesto Parilla Cabeje

Ernesto Parilla Cabeje (84) was a caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He entered into eternal heavenly rest on September 4, 2024, where he passed in the comfort of his own home, and was greeted by his first-born son, Chris Cabeje, as he preceded him in death on June 3rd, 2024.

Ernesto, or as many know him as "Ernie" was born to Primitivo and Juana Cabeje on May 4, 1940 in a small rural village in the Philippines. At 28 and newly wedded, Ernie came to America to raise a family in the land of opportunity with his beautiful wife, Conchita Cabeje. While Ernie was passionate about creating a better life for his wife through hard work and determination, his passion soon landed him a full-time gig as a father of four. Now, as a young bartender and competing interests as a budding father, his wife pressed him to leave the bar scene and start a new business to focus on family. As a respectable family-man, Ernie happily agreed with a wink and sparkle in his eye, and instead, became the owner of the bar and grill. Ernie's hospitality and generosity as bar owner soon turned its tide as he started his new business "Ernie's Septic Tank Service" and this time, he was serious.

If coming to America was an opportunity, his growing family was his dream. He made sure to make his children Quaker Oats in the morning before leaving to go to job sites. He knew that with hard work, you needed equal parts fun, so on weekends, he rounded up his four children and wife in the family van and headed to the coast for good family fashion fun of crabbing at Avila Beach. He trekked to the mountains for tent camping and made memories to last a lifetime, where his children bonded and family unit strengthened. As years passed, his children grew into adulthood and soon started their own families to make him a grandfather of eight. Ernie was ready to trade in horse-racing with his brothers for round 2 with his grandchildren and went "double or nothing".

If Ernie loved his children, he loved his grandchildren even harder. He was ready for the challenge. This time he was stronger, wiser, and had double the compassion as a seasoned father. He took his 8 grandchildren to school, attended their sporting events, told them to get good grades, sang to them, and gifted them money when no one was looking. They continued family tradition and went camping when the grandchildren were still young. He shared his interests with his grandchildren, who know nothing about horse racing, but will still bet on it, because they know just how lucky they are. He showed them how to joke, how to laugh, and how to work hard, which grandma thought was hardly working.

But, as his grandchildren grew to be successful adults and raise their own family out of unbreakable bonds, it's clear that Ernie instilled goodness in them. Ernie was blessed enough to see his grandchildren raise their own children, and was a great-grandfather of five with one on the way. His entire family, growing and close-knit, spent every waking moment with him in the hospital after he had a stroke, even after the constant demands to fluff his pillow and check for his keys and wallet as he plotted his futile escape so that he could say "let's go home now". The nurses treated him like royalty, as he made them die in laughter. They told him it was people like himself that got them out of bed to give the best care possible to their community.

In his later years, before his health declined, Ernie traveled the world with his wife, brothers, and in-laws. He saw the world through God's creation, and always brought that love back home to his family. Ernie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Conchita Cabeje (82), his three children Mary Prickett, Johnny Cabeje, and Tony Cabeje, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren with one on the way. Ernesto's four brothers Eugene, Herman, Jerry, and Jesse Cabeje will miss their oldest and beloved brother.

Ernie's smile and joy were infectious, and will continue to live through all the lives he's touched. His hard work, generosity, and free spirit remains an example of a good, small-town man who will be missed but never forgotten. Please join the family in remembering, celebrating, and honoring the life of Ernie Cabeje, so we can confidently send him home to rest with God, so that he can finally "go home now" where he will live with us forever in our hearts and memories.

The family asks that no black be worn during the services and asks for white or cream colors only. The events are as follows:

A visitation will be held at Myers Reception Hall in Porterville, California on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A rosary will be held at Myers Reception Hall in Porterville, California on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Church in Porterville California on Friday , September 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Porterville, California on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM. A Memorial to be followed from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at EZ Angus Ranch, at 21984 Avenue 160, Porterville, California.