Obituaries for Wednesday, June 8, 2011
• Floro Villabrille • Shizuko Suzuki
• Evangalyn Kuapahi • Harley Soto
• Benjamin Espiritu • William
Fernandes • Jimmy Ledward •
Fernanda Saniatan • Victoriano Villatora
• Yukio Arashiro • Edith
Noblisse
Floro Villabrille
Floro Michael Villabrille Jr. of Kapa‘a died on May 1, 2011 at The Queen’s Medial Center at age 56. Born on O‘ahu on March 17, 1955, he served in the U.S. Army as a combat veteran for four years and retired as a County of Kaua‘i heavy equipment operator and commercial fisherman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floro and Trini Villabrille Sr.; Alfred and Mildred Pogtis and Daniel Pogtis.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Miyashiro Villabrille; children, Michael Villabrille, Michelle (Derek) Ebesu Jr. of Washington, Sheri (Shane) Villabrille-Matsumura, Sheena (Aaron) Villabrille-Coyaso of Kapa‘a; brothers, Kenneth (Karen) Villabrille of Kapa‘a, and Ralph “Sonny” (Teri) Villabrille, Alfred Pogtis and family, Don Pogtis and family, Joann Eguchi and family, Rosa Ramones and family; mother-in-law, Irene Kaui Miyashiro; brothers-in-law, Clayton (Rachell) Miyashiro, Tyrus (Alicia) Miyashiro, Randal (Hilda) Miyashiro; sisters-in-law, Irene Miyashiro, Lynn (Nelson) Salvador, Iris (Sam) Thronas, Diane (John) Mundon of Kapa‘a; numerous nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Kailani, Isaiah, Serena and Maddie.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, June 11, at St. Catherine’s Parish Church in Kapa‘a from 8 to 9 a.m. and service to follow.
Casual attire is suggested.
Shizuko Suzuki
Shizuko “Sue” Suzuki died on May 13, 2011 at Garden Isle Healthcare at the age of 95. Born on January 22, 1916 in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i she was a housewife.
She is preceded in death by husband, Larry (Itsuji) Suzuki.
She is survived by daughters, Pauline (Byron) Tada of Sunnyvale, California; Christine (Larry) Murata of Honolulu, Hawaii; Karen (Glen) Takenouchi of Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and sister, Misao Sasaki; numerous nieces and nephews.
Private Services were held.
Evangalyn Kuapahi
Evangalyn Kawaiokemamo Kuapahi of Waimea died on May 28, 2011 at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital at the age of 53. Born on May 5, 1958 in Waimea, she was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, Klaine Kuapahi of Waimea; son, Jason Kamai-Santos of Waimea; one grandchild; mother, Grace Kamai of Makaweli; brother, Paul Kamai of Oregon; sisters, Belinda Kamai of Hanamaulu and Nancine “Missy” Kamai of Makaweli.
Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Waimea United Church of Christ (Stone Church). Service at 10:30 a.m.
Casual attire is suggested.
Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary.
Harley Soto
Harley Jayde Ku‘upu‘uwaihilina‘iikahaku Naemi Soto went home to Heaven to be an Angel with the Lord on May 19, 2011. She was born on March 31, 2011 at Sharp Medical Center for Women and Children in San Diego, Calif.
She is survived by her daddy, Christopher Soto and mommy, Lynne Eliazar; sister, Shelyn; brothers, Caden and Hunter Jay; paternal grandparents, Stafford and Heide Soto; maternal grandparents, Stephanie and Tyron Nojima and Albert and Lucy Eliazar; paternal great-grandmothers, J. Hazel Soto and Yoneko Honjo; maternal great-grandfather, Ilpidio Qulit; numerous aunties, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Kalaheo Missionary Church. Visitation is from 5 to 6:00 p.m. with service to follow.
Benjamin Espiritu
Benjamin Espiritu of Los Gatos passed away on May 25, 2011 at the age of 68. He was born in Puhi, Kaua‘i and attended Kaua‘i High School and graduated as a Chemist from San Jose College in California. He retired and formerly worked for the city of Gilroy, IBM and Spectra Physics in California.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mabel; daughter, Jessalyn Espiritu of Santa Clara, CA; step-children, Richard Daos Sr. (Mary); Deneen M. Watase (Glen); Malibu Daos (Imee); seven grandchildren of Oahu, Hawaii; brothers, Tony (Kiyoko) and Ernesto Espiritu of California; numerous nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered for his ALOHA (love) and sense of humor. He was an avid player of the ‘ukulele and compassion for Jazz music. Ben loved all and touched many lives, he will be truly missed.
A celebration of his life will be held on June 11, 2011 at Darling-Fisher Family Mortuaries, 615 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA (across the DMV in Los Gatos) 10 a.m.. Viewing and services at 11 a.m.
William Fernandes
William “Billy” Fernandes, former Territorial and State Representative, State Senator, and County of Kaua‘i Councilman, passed away on June 2, 2011 at his home in Wailua Homesteads, Kaua‘i. He was 88.
His political career began when he was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives in 1952. He served with his father, the late Senator John B. Fernandes-the first father and son elected to the legislature for the Territory of Hawaii. Billy was later elected to the State Senate. He was appointed by the late Governor John Burns to serve as Deputy Director for the State Department of Agriculture. In the mid-seventies, Billy ran for a seat on the Kaua‘i County Council, where he was elected and served as Councilman.
Billy is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Evelyn Ohai Fernandes; son, Kimo (Stephanie) Fernandes; daughters, Audrey Maile Fernandes; Lehua Fernandes-Salling; Napua (Wayne) Law; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brothers, George B. Fernandes and Stanley B. (Wella) Fernandes.
A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, June 13, 2011, visitation at 9 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Church in Kapa‘a. Burial will follow at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery.
Jimmy Ledward
Jimmy “Jimmy.com” Ledward of Hanalei, Kaua‘i, Hawaii passed away on June 3, 2011 at his home in Hanalei at the age of 60, he was a carpenter.
He is preceded in death by parents, Roland and Flora Ledward.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ledward; sons, Toby Ledward; Chip Neikter; Kapena Ledward; daughter, Mahina (Kurt) Ventura; brothers, Dennis De La Sieira; Roland Ledward; sisters, Yvonne (Howard) Duarte; Shirley (Keone) Cuffari; Louise (Mark) Sausen; Yvette (Lawrence) Guerrero; seven grandchildren; numerous aunties, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Hanalei Pavilion, paddle out with flowers following canoe races at 5 p.m. Pot luck to follow.
Very casual attire is suggested.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary.
Fernanda Saniatan
Fernanda S. Saniatan of Hanapepe died on June 5, 2011 at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital at the age of 88. Born in the Philippines on August 6, 1922 she retired in Housekeeping.
She is survived by her husband, Basilio Saniatan; three daughters, Simplicia “Simple” (Franklin) Tugade; Wilma (George Wagner) Puruganan; Nenita (Andy) Puruganan; Peth (Dave) Limpert; two sons, Larry (Bucna) Saniatan; Tony (Lolita) Saniatan; 19 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; brothers, Aurelio Sopapo; sisters, Duarola Soto; Clana Bantog; Juana Savellano; Candra Sevillija and Margarita Florento.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday June 11, 2011 at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and mass celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Hanapepe Public Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary.
Victoriano Villatora
Victoriano Villatora of Lihu‘e, a retired Lihu‘e Plantation employee who also worked at Grove Farm during his 41-year career in the island’s sugar industry, died at home on June 4, 2011 at the age of 76. He was born in Lihu‘e on Dec. 6, 1934.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hetrodis Hagmoc Nadarisay and Cecilio Nadarisay; brother, Raymond Villatora and son, Lee Villatora.
He is survived by the mother of his children, Leonora V. Alama of Omao; his children, Mario (Diane) Villatora of Kalaheo; Geneva Villatora of Tucson, AZ; Leonora (Norman) Luczon of Koloa; Peter (Jennifer) Villatora of Lahaina, Maui; Cecelia (Richard) Gomez of Anahola; Joseph (Hidemi) Villatora of Tamuning, Guam; Robert Villatora of Portland, OR; Philip Villatora of Kapa‘a; Victoria (Nelson) Gabriel of Kalaheo; Jon (Theresa) Villatora of Tamuning, Guam; Bernadette Perreira of Gresham, OR and Christine (Mark) Aqui of Kapa‘a; sisters, Gloria Caberto; Diane Vierra; Florence Alviar; Julia Lopez; Dolly (Harold) Alimboyoguen and Mercy (Walter) Inez; brothers, Benjamin (Mariana) Villatora; Doug (Connie) Nadarisay; Tony (Candice) Nadarisay and Frank (Colleen) Nadarisay; 68 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Church in Kapaia, with fellowship with the family from 8 to 9:45 a.m. Mass will be at 10 a.m., officiated by Father William Shannon.
Casual attire is suggested.
A scattering of ashes will take place at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Yukio Arashiro
Yukio Arashiro of Wailua Homesteads died at Garden Isle Health Care on June 4, 2011 at the age of 87. He was born on Kaua‘i on May 11, 1924 and retired from Union AFLCIO as a representative and was also a truck farmer.
He is survived by his wife, Yong Arashiro; children, Clyde (Sharon) Arashiro; Jassey (Raymond) Navarro; Lloyd (Pat) Arashiro; Floyd (Bobbie) Arashiro; Pola Knight; sisters, Toshiko Hironaka; Mieko (Tetsuo) Nakamura; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery Pavilion with visitation from 9 a.m. and services celebrated at 11 a.m. Inurnment to follow.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Arashiro family with arrangements.
Edith Noblisse
Edith Kamekona Noblisse of Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i died on May 21, 2011 in New Haven Connecticut at the age of 94. She was born in South Kohala, Hawaii on May 19, 1917, she was a retiree of the historical Coco Palms Hotel.
She is the wife of the late Elias O. Noblisse. She is preceded in death by son, Elias K. Noblisse; sons, Herman, Leonard and Ronnie Noblisse, son Randolf Noblisse Kahumoku; daughter, Margorie Borges and daughter, Jenny Noblisse Larock.
She is survived by son, Clifford (Sharon) Noblissa of Kaneohe, Oahu; daughter, Nora N. (Larry) Abregana of Oceanside California; daughter, Lorraine Beltrame of Anahola, Kaua‘i; 29 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.
A celebration of Tutu’s life will be held at Anahola Beack Park on Saturday, June 11, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Please bring loose flowers or lei to be scattered in the ocean just beyond the reef.
