MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO—Family members buried murder victim Ernesto Agsaulio over the weekend.  The 59-year old Agsaulio was trying to protect his niece when he was stabbed to death by her estranged husband, Willie Ching.

According to family members, Ching came to the home armed with several weapons, ready to confront his wife. But Agsaulio stopped him. The community is now hailing Agsaulio as a hero.

“You never expect these things to happen, especially to your family,” said Paulina Lopez, Agsaulio’s sister-in-law.

“He wasn’t ready to go, but he went doing his job and we’re all very proud of that,” said Agsaulio’s eldest daughter Mariecel Schaeffner.

His family remembered him with fondness. They say he was a caring father and a loving husband.

“He’s a big joker and I remember all his jokes. I remember all the things we went through together when we were younger.  It’s a big loss,” said a teary Bert Arguillas, a close friend of Agsaulio.

Agsaulio’s granddaughter, Maya Kim, remembered how her granddad would lovingly tease her about her strong Asian features.  “Everyday, when I get home from school and go to the living room and give him a kiss, he says, ‘Little Singkit, how was your day at school today?’”

While the Agsaulio family recovers, Ching is awaiting trial for first degree murder. He will be remanded on November 23rd.