Efren Yamson "Papa" Alfaro

Efren Yamson Alfaro, known affectionately as "Papa," passed away on May 1, 2025, at the age of 74. He spent his final days embraced by his wife, children, grandchildren, and dear friends who gathered at his side, a testament to the love he poured into his life.
Born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Efren was one of eight siblings and affectionately called "Boy" by his family. From a young age, he was known for his generosity, grit, and quiet strength. This spirit of sacrifice and service defined the rest of his extraordinary life.
At the heart of Efren's life was his bond with his wife, Duvy. Their story began with a spontaneous college prank call, where Duvy dialed a stranger and introduced herself as "Gigi" to disguise her identity and Efren answered as "Jimmy." They each had friends on standby in case the other wasn't interested, but when they met, their connection was instant and profound. What began as a lighthearted joke blossomed into a deep, playful relationship spanning more than fifty years, filled with adventure, resilience, and joy. A few years ago, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, a milestone built on partnership and abiding love.
Efren's journey took him from rural Philippines to the ships of the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where he worked as a seafarer and engine mechanic. He later served as a policeman during martial law, worked construction for Japanese firms, and eventually moved with his family to Macau. There, he reinvented himself in the hospitality industry, rising to Chief Steward, earning a hotel management diploma with the help of his wife, who studied alongside him. When they immigrated to the United States, he worked as a cook in Thai and Chinese restaurants before fulfilling a dream: opening his own. As owner, operator, and chef, he worked tirelessly over a hot wok, day and night, feeding others with skill and love.
He was a man of many trades-a builder, painter, fixer, and provider-but always most proud of the family he raised. As a father, he showed his affection through quiet, consistent acts of service: fixing things, cooking meals, bandaging scraped knees, driving lessons, and putting their needs before his own without hesitation. As a grandfather, he was adored, a gentle giant who played, joked, and shared everything, including the watch off his wrist if you admired it.
Known for his modesty, kindness, and limitless benevolence, Efren gave freely, his time, his calmness, his vigor, without expectation of return. After his cancer diagnosis, he continued serving his loved ones with the same dedication, showing up with affection and easing the burden of others until his last days.
Efren leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, generosity, and steadfast commitment, a man who built a beautiful life from humble beginnings and devoted his entire being to those he loved. His memory endures not just in stories shared and meals enjoyed, but in the subtle gestures of love that defined him-impressions that remain long after someone departs.
We will celebrate Efren's incredible life with a funeral mass on Saturday, May 17, 2025 11:30 am at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, followed by a lunch reception at the Woman's Club of Oceanside.