Ellsworth Dela Cruz Gayap

Ellsworth Dela Cruz Gayap was born the youngest of five children to Luis Sr. and Olivia Gayap on March 3, 1976 in Santa Maria, Pangasinan, Philippines. He later moved to Dasol, Pangasinan, attended Dasol Elementary school, and at an early age helped with the family farm and animals. At this age, Ellsworth also learned to play the sport of basketball which later lead to him to becoming a lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan. On April 8, 1989 he emigrated to the United States with his parents and two brothers, Andrew and Joseph, leaving behind older brother, Luis Jr., and older sister, Gemma. He first lived in San Diego, California and later moved to San Pedro, California where he attended Dana Junior High and San Pedro High School. After graduating high school in 1995, Ellsworth went to California State University, Long Beach to earn his Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and worked in software support until his passing. It was at California State University, Long Beach where he met his future wife Cecille Zabala. Ellsworth and Cecille were married in January of 2009 and their family grew in May of 2017 when they were blessed with the birth of their son, Owen Bruno Gayap Zabala. Cecille and Owen were the shining lights of his life. Ellsworth passed unexpectedly on November 9, 2019, while aboard a fishing vessel, the “Pursuit.” He was fishing out on the open seas, one of his greatest passions. After he battled and landed his largest catch, his fellow anglers reported Ellsworth celebrated his 30lb yellowtail tuna before joining the “The Great Fisherman” above.