Ernie Teigita Dela Cruz was born on the beautiful island of Saipan on December 03‚ 1968 to Ereneo and Cayetana Dela Cruz. He is the second eldest of five siblings. On December 04‚ 1993‚ he married Velma Deleon Guerrero‚ now Dela Cruz. The Lord above blessed us with four wonderful children. Chelsea Bianca- the oldest‚ is eighteen years old; Tasha Renae‚ being the second eldest‚ is fifteen years old; Ernie Joe‚ the third eldest‚ is eleven years old; and Luis Jacob‚ being the youngest‚ is six years old. He was a great husband and a family man. Ernie was everything to his wife. He was her friend‚ soul mate‚ adviser‚ lover‚ joker‚ and most of all‚ a loving and caring husband. He always made time for his wife and children. He was a very peaceful and happy person. He got along with everyone‚ be it families or friends. He is greatly missed by all.

Ernie was very much involved in various ways with the community in Saipan‚ as well as Rota and Tinian. He enjoyed helping out the community in whatever way he could. He was involved with various agencies such as the Emergency Medical Services‚ public schools‚ Bureau of Alcohol‚ Tobacco and Firearms‚ American Red Cross‚ Criminal Investigations‚ and many more. Ernie received his Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts in the month of May‚ 1999. He was a person that loved his job and the challenges that came with it. He traveled near and far for. He had visited places such as Rota‚ Tinian‚ Baltimore‚ California‚ Nevada‚ Virginia‚ Maryland‚ and much more. On May 9th‚ 2000‚ he was named the Division Employee of the Year in recognition of his excellence and dedication in public service within the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands‚ Saipan.

Ernie was fond of cooking‚ swimming‚ fishing and camping. He was a very adventurous and spirited person. I always seem to tell stories of how he was planning to retire and open up a catering service. His children remember how they enjoyed the moments that were shared by either going to the beach for a picnic‚ camping‚ or simply just to swim or fish. They also enjoy remembering the times he would be off duty‚ but would still report to the scene. We would all be in the car as he followed after the ambulance or fire truck. He was a strict father when it was needed‚ but they sure did enjoy all the family activities with him. We miss him so dearly.