Eddie Estabillo Bides
September 27, 1938 — May 3, 2023
Eddie Estabillo Bides
September 27, 1938 - May 3, 2023
Eddie Estabillo Bides - gentle and beloved husband, father, brother, Grandpa and friend - passed away peacefully at age 84 on May 3, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida with his family, friends and clergy by his side. The celebration of life for Eddie Bides will be open to the public and held at:
Duval Masonic Lodge
2620 Dean Road, Jacksonville, 32216
Saturday May 20, 2023
2 p.m.
His remains will be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy, at his request.
Eddie lived a life of love, kindness, forgiveness and service to others. He leaves behind a legacy of a strong faith in God; commitment to marriage; a large, adoring family of children, grandchildren and relatives; a 20-year Naval career; and decades of service with the Masons.
He is survived by the large, loving family he cherished: his wife Earlene; five children Edward, John, Arthur, Marc and Valerie; seven grandchildren Marissa, Morgan, Mason, Koji, Yuri, Josie and Stella; brother Sam; first wife Elizabeth; and extended family, nieces and nephews throughout the U.S., Philippines, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Eddie was gentle, kind and beloved by all he met. He had a bright smile, warm hugs and generously expressed his love for others. He was overjoyed in his final days that all five children, and many grandchildren, traveled to see him and he was able to share time with each, saying "I must be on the Love Boat, surrounded by so many people I love."
He passed away at Community Hospice, Hadlow Center for Caring, in Jacksonville due to complications from pancreatitis and his final day included visits from family and friends, and an award presentation from the U.S. Navy for his service.
Eddie was born in the Philippine Province of Bulacan on September 27, 1938 to Juan Ramirez and mother Josefina Estabillo, and was one of seven siblings. He left the Philippines at age 18 to join the U.S. Navy, and became a U.S. citizen just four years later. He legally changed his name from Edilberto to Eddie "because no one could pronounce it or spell it." He was known the rest of his life simply as Eddie - although he was anything but a simple man, as many people learned through the years.
He enjoyed a 32-year marriage to his high-school sweetheart from the Philippines, and they raised their family from military bases across the U.S., moving to Annapolis, Vallejo/San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pensacola and Jacksonville.
Throughout his 20-year Naval career, he served on four ships: the U.S.S. Pyro, U.S.S. Boxer, U.S.S. Saratoga and U.S.S. Charles Adams. He served in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge as a Petty Officer First Class.
He was proud of both his American citizenship and Filipino heritage, which he kept alive for his children and grandchildren through sharing the culture, food, family recipes, stories of his youth and connections with extended family and cousins around the world. He also helped the Jacksonville Bicol Association establish an annual Filipino-Asian Celebration that was the precursor to the now-iconic World of Nations Celebration.
He was dedicated to his family, working hard to support his five children and also spending quality time together. They treasure their memories of fishing and crabbing with Dad off the jetties in Mayport, rising early to get the best spot, riding on his shoulders, catching his favorite bluefish, and staying as long as the fish were biting -- often until after the sun set.
Eddie met his wife Earlene while working at the U.S. Post Office. They married in 2001 in her hometown of Scottsboro, Alabama and she has filled his life with joy throughout their 22-year marriage. They enjoyed working jigsaw and crossword puzzles; and she was happy to have him teach her to cook some of his favorite meals, which she found to be delicious! They watched retro TV shows like Perry Mason, and he was excited that he finally got to watch MASH. She, too, went fishing with him in their early years of marriage, but his later years were spent on his studies, and she was happy to help him with that.
His other lifelong service was with the Masonic organization, where he attained the 32nd degree as a Scottish Rite Mason. He achieved one of the highest honors in Masonry for his work and was awarded the Gold Card from the Grand Lodge of Florida. He most recently served as Right Honorable - District Instructor of the 8th District. His love of teaching and dedication to the craft made him a highly sought after instructor and lecturer. His love for his fraternity and brothers made him a well-loved and respected mentor, helping other brothers earn their gold cards, and guiding newer leaders in the discharge of their duties. His service to the Scottish Rite earned him the recognition as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (KCCH); this honor is only bestowed upon a selected few. His guidance and mentorship will be greatly missed.
Eddie loved socializing with friends, golfing, fishing, cooking, telling tales about Naval life on the giant ships, and watching vintage westerns and war films. He was a fan of "The Duke" John Wayne and even appeared in three war movies himself, filmed in historic areas around Northeast Florida, as an extra under the stage name "Roland Bides". One of these was the Bruce Boxleitner TV movie from 1989 "The Road Raiders", which can be found online.
His extraordinary memory, dedication and attention to detail also served Jacksonville through his civil careers, as he was an accountant for the city for 16 years, and worked for the U.S. Post Office for another 16 years.
As helping children was important to Eddie, in lieu of flowers the family is requesting to consider donating in his honor to Operation Smile. Those interested may visit their website at www.OperationSmile.org < http://www.operationsmile.org >, choose in the drop-down menu Ways to Give: Memorial Gifts. If you enter Eddie's name as the honoree, and select the "e-card" button (using the notification email address artbides@gmail.com
artbides@gmail.com>) the organization will share with the family that a donation was made in his memory.
We know that Eddie's gentle and loving spirit remains with us, and he will continue to wrap us with his sense of peace and encouragement until we meet again.
September 27, 1938 - May 3, 2023
Eddie Estabillo Bides - gentle and beloved husband, father, brother, Grandpa and friend - passed away peacefully at age 84 on May 3, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida with his family, friends and clergy by his side. The celebration of life for Eddie Bides will be open to the public and held at:
Duval Masonic Lodge
2620 Dean Road, Jacksonville, 32216
Saturday May 20, 2023
2 p.m.
His remains will be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy, at his request.
Eddie lived a life of love, kindness, forgiveness and service to others. He leaves behind a legacy of a strong faith in God; commitment to marriage; a large, adoring family of children, grandchildren and relatives; a 20-year Naval career; and decades of service with the Masons.
He is survived by the large, loving family he cherished: his wife Earlene; five children Edward, John, Arthur, Marc and Valerie; seven grandchildren Marissa, Morgan, Mason, Koji, Yuri, Josie and Stella; brother Sam; first wife Elizabeth; and extended family, nieces and nephews throughout the U.S., Philippines, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Eddie was gentle, kind and beloved by all he met. He had a bright smile, warm hugs and generously expressed his love for others. He was overjoyed in his final days that all five children, and many grandchildren, traveled to see him and he was able to share time with each, saying "I must be on the Love Boat, surrounded by so many people I love."
He passed away at Community Hospice, Hadlow Center for Caring, in Jacksonville due to complications from pancreatitis and his final day included visits from family and friends, and an award presentation from the U.S. Navy for his service.
Eddie was born in the Philippine Province of Bulacan on September 27, 1938 to Juan Ramirez and mother Josefina Estabillo, and was one of seven siblings. He left the Philippines at age 18 to join the U.S. Navy, and became a U.S. citizen just four years later. He legally changed his name from Edilberto to Eddie "because no one could pronounce it or spell it." He was known the rest of his life simply as Eddie - although he was anything but a simple man, as many people learned through the years.
He enjoyed a 32-year marriage to his high-school sweetheart from the Philippines, and they raised their family from military bases across the U.S., moving to Annapolis, Vallejo/San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pensacola and Jacksonville.
Throughout his 20-year Naval career, he served on four ships: the U.S.S. Pyro, U.S.S. Boxer, U.S.S. Saratoga and U.S.S. Charles Adams. He served in the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge as a Petty Officer First Class.
He was proud of both his American citizenship and Filipino heritage, which he kept alive for his children and grandchildren through sharing the culture, food, family recipes, stories of his youth and connections with extended family and cousins around the world. He also helped the Jacksonville Bicol Association establish an annual Filipino-Asian Celebration that was the precursor to the now-iconic World of Nations Celebration.
He was dedicated to his family, working hard to support his five children and also spending quality time together. They treasure their memories of fishing and crabbing with Dad off the jetties in Mayport, rising early to get the best spot, riding on his shoulders, catching his favorite bluefish, and staying as long as the fish were biting -- often until after the sun set.
Eddie met his wife Earlene while working at the U.S. Post Office. They married in 2001 in her hometown of Scottsboro, Alabama and she has filled his life with joy throughout their 22-year marriage. They enjoyed working jigsaw and crossword puzzles; and she was happy to have him teach her to cook some of his favorite meals, which she found to be delicious! They watched retro TV shows like Perry Mason, and he was excited that he finally got to watch MASH. She, too, went fishing with him in their early years of marriage, but his later years were spent on his studies, and she was happy to help him with that.
His other lifelong service was with the Masonic organization, where he attained the 32nd degree as a Scottish Rite Mason. He achieved one of the highest honors in Masonry for his work and was awarded the Gold Card from the Grand Lodge of Florida. He most recently served as Right Honorable - District Instructor of the 8th District. His love of teaching and dedication to the craft made him a highly sought after instructor and lecturer. His love for his fraternity and brothers made him a well-loved and respected mentor, helping other brothers earn their gold cards, and guiding newer leaders in the discharge of their duties. His service to the Scottish Rite earned him the recognition as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (KCCH); this honor is only bestowed upon a selected few. His guidance and mentorship will be greatly missed.
Eddie loved socializing with friends, golfing, fishing, cooking, telling tales about Naval life on the giant ships, and watching vintage westerns and war films. He was a fan of "The Duke" John Wayne and even appeared in three war movies himself, filmed in historic areas around Northeast Florida, as an extra under the stage name "Roland Bides". One of these was the Bruce Boxleitner TV movie from 1989 "The Road Raiders", which can be found online.
His extraordinary memory, dedication and attention to detail also served Jacksonville through his civil careers, as he was an accountant for the city for 16 years, and worked for the U.S. Post Office for another 16 years.
As helping children was important to Eddie, in lieu of flowers the family is requesting to consider donating in his honor to Operation Smile. Those interested may visit their website at www.OperationSmile.org < http://www.operationsmile.org >, choose in the drop-down menu Ways to Give: Memorial Gifts. If you enter Eddie's name as the honoree, and select the "e-card" button (using the notification email address artbides@gmail.com
We know that Eddie's gentle and loving spirit remains with us, and he will continue to wrap us with his sense of peace and encouragement until we meet again.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eddie Estabillo Bides, please visit our flower store.