In Memoriam Eddie C. Tumlos 1941-2016

Beloved husband of the late Remedios; loving father of Edwin (Anna Liza Cuison) and Rachelle; devoted caregiver of family pet Bootz; dear son of the late Jovita Ofalla and dear brother of the late Gilberto Tumlos.

Eddie Tumlos, recently retired Electrical Engineer at Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Midwest in Great Lakes, Illinois, passed away on February 2,, 2016, due to a spontaneous ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Born February 9, 1941 in Sapian, Capiz, Philippines, he was an underprivileged, yet diligent, working student, who was raised by his loving, and dedicated, single-mother, Jovita, a tireless seamstress, who taught him perseverance and a devotion to God.

Through his hard work, Eddie earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, in 1968, from Feati University, in Manila, Philippines. Shortly after, he met and married his beloved wife, Remedios, a beautiful school teacher who soon became the loving mother of his two children, Edwin and Rachelle.

It was at this time that he began his career at Ysmael Steel Manufacturing Company, in Quezon City, Philippines, as an Engineering Supervisor-Electronic Appliance.

Much to his surprise, an application that he had filed to immigrate to the United States was approved, and, in 1973, he made the difficult decision to leave his young family behind in the Philippines while he tried to establish a home and a better future in Chicago, Illinois.

That same year, Eddie began working for Westinghouse Electric Corporation, in Chicago, as a Senior Engineer-Application Engineering. While sending his earnings home to support his family and relatives, his love and hope to be united with his family never wavered.

His dream was finally realized in 1980, when his family was together again, in Chicago. His career also progressed, as he became a Lead Designer- Electrical, in 1990, for Sargent & Lundy Engineers, in Chicago, and then worked in far-off power plants for Bechtel Corporation, in 1995, and Harlo Corporation, 1996.

He was undaunted in his support for his family, even through the lean years after his wife suffered a stroke, and he struggled through a layoff. His faith, and strong will, carried him through. Never giving up hope, and ensuring that his family wanted for nothing.

For all who knew him, Eddie was a loving, selfless and devoted family man, dear and true friend, and always had a ready smile for all those who were fortunate enough to know him in life. His relatives knew him as a caring supporter who was generous and never expected anything in return. And his close friends knew him as a man with a positive attitude, a warm heart, and always ready to help.

A friend of Eddie had a friend for life. His sudden departure came as a shock to everyone considering that he seemed so healthy. His passing brings great sorrow to friends and family alike.

He will be missed, especially by his surviving children. Among their favorite memories, Edwin will miss their Saturday breakfasts talking about current events, politics, and the latest in electronic gadgetry, and Rachelle will miss her best friend and confidant, their shopping trips, and their new way to communicate as Eddie loved to use his smartwatch and just learned to use the text function. Eddie loved their annual family visit to the Chicago Auto Show, celebrating momentous events, and just spending quality time with family, friends and the family dog, Bootz.

Visitation was held at Cooney Funeral Home, in Chicago, on Friday, February 5, 2016, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The funeral mass was conducted at St. Francis of Assisi Church, in Chicago, on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., and interment was at Rosehill Cemetery, in Chicago as well.

May you rest in peace, Eddie, and, after ten years, may you and your beloved wife, Remedios, enjoy