Elbert Yanit Taclan

Elbert Yanit Taclan, 57, of Egg Harbor Township, went home to be with the Lord on April 5, 2018, while staying with family in San Jose, Bulacan, Philippines. He was born in a small coastal home in Claveria, a city in the northern part of the Philippines on September 20, 1960. He was the middle child of 13 brothers and sisters. He was a hard-working, exceptionally determined man who prided himself in his family and his work-ethic. He accepted Christ at a young age, caught fish to bring home and to sell in the market, and was the only one in his family to graduate from college. He served as an officer in the Philippine Army and then as a presidential guard under President Nigalan. In 1987 he moved to the United States and started a family. His first son Robert was born in New York before the family relocated to South Jersey. Elbert’s second son Andrew was born shortly after in Somers Point. Elbert worked in Atlantic City’s casino industry for 25 years at the Trump Castle, the Tropicana, the Trump Marina, the Borgata, the Golden Nugget, and the Revel. In 2014 he became a grandfather. Elbert enjoyed his new title and was attentive and loving to his grandson; however, he was only able to spend a short amount of time with Trevor before he was diagnosed with a terminal disease in 2015. Determined to not be a burden to anyone, he went to the Philippines to live with his sister, Evelyn and his mother, Hermogena Taclan. There, he was visited by many of his siblings, aunts, uncles, and old military friends. Elbert is survived by his long-term girlfriend Maria Crowell, his two sons, Robert and Andrew, his two grandchildren, Trevor and Eliana, his mother Hermogena Taclan, 11 other siblings and dozens of friends here and abroad. He is predeceased by his father, his eldest brother, and his granddaughter, Natalia. Elbert’s memorial service will be held on Monday May 14th from 10:30AM – 1PM at Trinity Alliance Church at 101 S Cologne Ave. Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215. In place of memorials, a collection will be held of new and gently used summer clothes, rain gear, and footwear with donations to offset shipping costs to family members in the Philippines.