Obituaries for Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Stanley Raymond Vasques
Stanley Raymond Vasques
Darling, Dad, Papa, Vovo, Bradah, Uncle, Stan, Vas
1944—2022
From a grandchild’s perspective
Papa was born on April 29, 1944 to Frank Vasques and Minnie Machado. From a young age, he sat at the feet of the older generations, learning lessons, family connections, and the wonders of being a cowboy.
He laughed at his older sister, Evelyn, like any brother would. She and her husband, Herb, loved him fiercely and spent hours eating lunch with him next to their koi pond and canaries at the end of his work days, framing and hanging every photo of him and his family they could get their hands on.
Papa was raised on the sugar plantation of Kealia. He was a skilled horsemen. He shoed horses for 40 years. He spent his life working and serving every community on the island. He lived his whole life between the mountain ranges of Makaleha and Kalalea. He worked his whole life, and his hands told the story — callous, skeddagas, cuts, “the horse been catch my finger.”
We have been told by many that Papa could do anything — he was strong, tough and built, could operate heavy machinery, fix fence, build, mend.
He met his wife Luci at a party. They exchanged letters for months. They were married on April 27, 1968, making sure to be married two days before his 25th birthday so that he could win a bet with Uncle Keoki. Uncle then had to buy all the beer for the wedding. Papa and Grama were blessed with two daughters, Michelle and Cherie. His daughters cook like he cooked and find comfort in the mountains like he found comfort. His grandsons and granddaughters work like he worked and try to love like he loved.
Papa adored Grama. He strengthened her and she strengthened him. They were by each other’s sides for 54 years.
Papa embraced the roles of father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Papa was funny. “If you feeling down, talk story with him — pau.” He was careful sometimes, caring always. He was thoughtful, kind, but always cracking a joke. He only raised his voice at mules and horses and hunting dogs. Papa was humble and meek, but proud of his family. He loved his friends. Papa always had a good story — the truths of a childhood with no bounds twisted with the Portuguese culture’s ability to tell a tale.
Papa knew God and later in life chose to wear his Sunday best to church, with jeans, worn leather cowboy boots and a bolo tie. Papa and Grama were sealed in the Laie, Hawai‘i temple on Nov. 14, 2008.
He will be remembered for his pots of perfectly flavored beef stew, his shirts with three or four buttons not buttoned, his jokes, his smoke meat, his stories, his sweat, his hands.
In the early morning of June 13, 2022, Papa breathed his last breaths with family at his side and angels round about him.
We love you, Papa. Everything we have is because of you.
Stanley, 78, of Kapa‘a, and proprietor of Stan’s Horseshoeing, is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by wife Luciana “Luci” Vasques, daughters, Michelle (Greg) Vasques Gonsalves and Cherie (James) Vasques-Sarme, grandchildren, Makoa (Keapo) Gonsalves, Kekai “Kiki” (Joshua) Cram, Kahiau (Saxsen) Shiira, Alaka‘i Gonsalves, Kolby Sarme, Kimo (Lauren) Sarme, Megan (Karl) Liufau, Melanie (Cliff) Cummings, Mason (Kaitlyn) Mendoza, Myles (Bernadette) Mendoza and Aubry Sarme, nine great-grandchildren, sister Evelyn (Herbert) Garcia, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Friday, July 8, 2022, at the Vasques homestead, 1737 Hulu Road, Kapa‘a, 96746. Papa has always been a man of few words. To honor him, a simple man uninterested in formal events, please join us for a casual visitation at 5 p.m. Bring stories and join us for dinner at 6 p.m. We will be here all night.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Arnold Satoru Fujii
Arnold Satoru Fujii, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Lihu‘e on Jan. 3, 2022. He was born on Nov. 13, 1937 in Kapaia. He worked as a teacher at Kapa‘a High School, the state Department of Education district office and Kaua‘i Community College.
He was preceded in passing by wife Florinda (Yamasato) Fujii, parents Tsutomu and Fusayo Fujii and sister Stella Fujii.
He is survived by his loving partner Kimiyo Navarro, children Aric Fujii Arvin (Masako) Fujii and Ardith (Kenny) Chung, brothers Stephen (Sylvia) Fujii, Roger (Amy) Fujii and Calvin (Pamela) Fujii (deceased Feb. 26, 2022), and grandchildren Sydney Chung, Jamie Fujii and Joelle Fujii.
A service is at Kapa‘a Missionary Church on Tuesday, June 28, with visitation from 9 a.m. and services to follow. Burial will be at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home at noon. The family requests that masks be worn and there be no koden (monetary gifts).
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Pierre ‘Papa’ Pavao
Pierre “Papa” Pavao, of Kilauea, passed away on May 24, 2022, at the age of 65. He was born on Nov. 15, 1956, in Lihu‘e. He was a retired taro farmer and plumber.
He was preceded in death by parents John Pavao Sr., Paul Sun Kwong Say and Marianne Pavao, and brothers Earl Pavao and John Pavao Jr.
He is survived by wife Julie Yadao Constantino Pavao, son Pierre Makana (Alethia) Pavao, daughter Kalili (Kaulu) Pavao, hanai daughter Kelli Malia Berry, grandchildren Aniah Nahalia, Eden Nohea, Ezri Makoa, Elliora Kawena (Carrillo-Pavao), Waileia Ka‘uionalani, Uluwehi Kauaolikokalani (Pavao) and Waipuna Kamana‘ohali‘aokekaimalie Pavao Kahale, hanai grandchildren Manoa William and Ira (Berry Lacock) Matthew, mother Barbara Jean Say, sisters Keala (Jerry) Pavao Tittle and Jonelle Leina‘ala (Sean) Pavao Jardin, brothers William (Regina) Pavao, David (Janice) Pavao, Paul Say and Byron Say, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Friday, June 24, at St. Sylvester Church in Kilauea. Visitation is from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., followed by Mass at 10 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Francisca ‘Frances’ Agao Rapozo
Francisca ”Frances” Agao Rapozo, 83 of Hanama‘ulu, passed away on May 28, 2022. She was born on Oct. 3, 1938 in Lihu‘e, and retired from the state Judiciary as a legal clerk.
She was preceded in death by parents Quirino Agao and Piokinta de Gusman Agao, brother Manuel Agao, sisters Maria Agao, Felipa Trotta, Susannah Eilenberg and Mary Kumai, and grandson Lenson W. Coyamin Perez.
She is survived by husband Donald “Spike” Rapozo, sons Russell (Pamela) Coyamin and Donald “DJ” (Danielle Pelletier) Rapozo Jr., daughters Rebecca “Becky” (Ricky Imada) and Jessica “Jessie” (Abel Louis Jr.) Coyamin, seven grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, brothers Simeon (Dawn) and Gabriel Agao, and sisters Elizabeth Vellalos, Gloria (Julian) Ibia, Linda (Andy) Ferrara and Patricia (Patrick) Ferrara.
A memorial service is Friday, June 24, at Immaculate Conception Church in Kapaia. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. The Rev. EJ Resinto, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu, officiates. Burial will follow at the Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Due to COVID-19, the family requests the use of face masks.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Alan Nakamura
Alan Nakamura passed away on May 12, 2022, at the age of 74, in Sacramento, California. He was born on Nov. 20, 1947, in Lihu‘e. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by wife Akiko Nakamura and son Brian Nakamura.
He is survived by daughter Janice Nakamura, grandson TJ, siblings Eleanor, Janet and Rex, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, June 25, at Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church, with services at 2 p.m. The family requests casual attire.
George Ku‘ualoha Ana Jr.
George Ku‘ualoha Ana Jr., of Mountain Home, Idaho, passed away on Feb, 4, 2022, in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 75. He was born on July 11, 1946, in Waimea, and grew up in Kekaha. He was a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Army and retired as a civilian senior water technician for the Mountain Home Air Force Base.
He was preceded in death by parents George (Sr.) and Isabella Ana, sisters Georgiana Ana Kelley and Salala Ana Wilkin, wife Yolanda Viquelia Ana and granddaughter Tessie Ana.
He is survived by sons Keith (Healani) Ana of ‘Ele‘ele and Daniel (Emily) Ana of Boise, Idaho, daughter Desiree (Neil) Fagarang of Hanama‘ulu, eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, sisters Josephine Ana Nelson of Meridian, Idaho and Boni Isabel (Tom) Potter of Mountain Home, Idaho, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Friday, July 15 at 9 a.m. at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.
John ‘Jack’ Weston Baker Jr.
John “Jack” Weston Baker Jr. passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord and savior on May 30, 2022. He was born on Dec. 24, 1949, in New Britain, Connecticut.
He graduated from New Britain High School in 1968. He worked at Beauty Enterprises in Hartford, Connecticut until his retirement in 2008.
He was a member of St. Catherine parish since he moved to Kaua‘i in 2009.
He was a free spirit with an incomparable sense of humor and wit. He saw the good in everyone, and made easy lifelong friends in all his travels.
As a result, he was the “go-to guy” for anything you needed. An avid reader, he could often be found on the beach with a book in his hand and his loyal dog Moe by his side.
A true music lover, he enjoyed discovering new music, seeing live shows and sharing his discoveries with friends and family. He spent many summers as a member of the Pattaconk Yacht Club in Chester, Connecticut. He loved being on the water and taking excursions to Montauk, New York.
In the winter, he was rooting on the New York Giants. He was a devoted partner, father, brother, friend and grandfather. Nothing made him happier than making smiley-face pancakes for Lily, Brielle and Carter. The family wishes to thank Hope Lodge and Straub Medical Center ICU in Honolulu.
He was preceded in death by parents John Baker Sr. and Beatrice (Cronin) Baker of New Britain, Connecticut.
He is survived by fiancée Bernadette D’amore, children Stacy (Matt Conti) Baker of Charlestown, Rhode Island, Lindsay (Peter) Swiatek of Berlin, Connecticut, Christopher (Shannan) D’amore-Chasse of Simsbury, Connecticut and Robert Baker of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Dylan of Charlestown, Rhode Island, Owen of Berlin, Connecticut and Liliana, Brielle and Carter of Simsbury, Connecticut, brothers James Baker of Deep River, Connecticut and Thomas Baker of New Britain, Connecticut, and one niece and one nephew.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Sept. 10, at The Pattaconk Yacht Club, 61 Dock R., Chester, Connecticut, starting at 1 p.m. Memorial donations can be made to Hope Lodge, 251 S. Vineyard St., Honolulu, HI 96813.
Calvin Hidemi Fujii
Calvin Hidemi Fujii, 78, passed away on Feb. 26, 2022, in Los Gatos, California. He was born in Lihu‘e and worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years before retiring in 2005.
He was preceded in death by parents Tsutomu and Fusayo Fujii, sister Stella Fujii and brother Arnold Fujii.
He is survived by wife Pamela Fujii, children Cheryl (Brett) Oliker, Chris (Mirna) Fujii, Caela Fujii and Chara Fujii, brothers Stephen (Sylvia) Fujii and Roger (Amy) Fujii, and grandchildren Curtis Fujii, Madison Fujii and Danielle Oliker.
A service is at noon Tuesday, June 28, at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
