Obituaries for Sunday, July 24, 2022
Jon Derby
Jon Derby
Jon Derby passed away on May 16, 2022, in Pineville, North Carolina, at the age of 80. He was born in Auburn, New York, and raised in the Weedsport area, until his family moved to Webster Groves, Missouri in high school.
He graduated from Webster Groves High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Culver-Stockton College in 1963. He served his country in the U.S. Army, spending two years in Vietnam.
He spent more than 34 years working as an educator in Hawai‘i, and as a part-time contractor for years after retirement. Mr. Derby, as he was known by his students, started his career teaching at Waimea High School for 13 years, moving to multiple vice principal positions, becoming the principal of Kekaha School, and ultimately working at the district-level for the state Department of Education. During his time at Waimea, he met his wife (also a teacher there), and adopted his two daughters.
In 2003, he moved to North Carolina to be closer to family, and spent 17 years as a photographer and digital artist. A lifelong learner at heart, he spent his retirement taking courses, supporting art students and galleries, showing his work in local shows and competitions, and documenting the artists of New Bern through social media.
He co-authored a book, “A Brief History of Artists in Eastern North Carolina,” and was a proud member of the Bohemian Artists of New Bern. He continued to show and sell his art in Asheville through 2019. He maintained a passion for education, social justice and speaking up for those who needed help throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by wife of 28 years Marilyn Derby, parents Payson and Dorothy and brothers David and Roderick.
He is survived by daughter Jennifer (Jeremy) Guy and grandchildren Joshua and Greyson, daughter Elisabeth (Clark) Doggett and grandchildren Estela and Catalina, sisters Ruth Anne (Keith) and Sheryl, and his beloved nieces and nephews.
At his request, there will be no formal funeral or memorial service. His family invites you to leave remembrances or condolences on his online page at csofcharlotte.com/obituary. In lieu of flowers, they ask that donations be sent to the Waimea (High School) Alumni & Friends Foundation at waffkauai.org/waffmembership.html.
Luke ‘Luki’ Iwili Alaipalelei
Luke “Luki” Iwili Alaipalelei, 30, of Mililani, O‘ahu, peacefully went home to the Lord on April 14, 2022. He was born and raised on Kaua‘i, where he learned that the most important thing in life was to love God. He loved his church and was proud to be a Catholic.
In his youth, he spent time on Hawai‘i Island, where he learned more about his Hawaiian culture and was proud to be Hawaiian. He graduated from Mililani High School.
His favorite place to spend time was in the mountain waters, where he found peace. He also loved music, and despite his young age, he preferred the classics by The Eagles, Earth Wind and Fire, Billy Joel and Kalapana, to name a few.
The love of his family was the highlight of his desires. He was an awesome son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend. He was loved by so many and he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by grandparents Dolly Gabriel Mandap, Abraham Cummings and Faamoe Timu, and cousin/best friend Shiloh Aiu.
He is survived by his mother Koki Cummings, father Reno (Marlo) Alaipalelei, brothers Danyo (Jaisa) Cummings, Timothy (Tiff) Cummings, Josh Alaipalelei and Kamalu Umu, sisters Jolene Alaipalelei and Nalani Umu, nieces and nephews whom he loved like his own Kaleb, Kassidy, Makana, Walker, Gracie, Julian and Lana, and numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. Friday, July 29, at St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church in Mililani, followed by Mass at 11 a.m.
Dalton Kawika Kenji Burk
Dalton Kawika Kenji Burk, of Wailua Homesteads, passed away on July 13, 2022, at the age of 21. He was born on Sept. 8, 2000, in Lihu‘e. He worked for Duke’s Canoe Club restaurant as a line cook.
He was preceded in death by grandmother Nancine Okano and great-grandparents Masayo and Masao Okano, Nancy Malina and John Soloman.
He is survived by parents Misty Okano and Jason Thulin of Wailua, brother Dawson Burk of Wailua, grandfather Bryan Okano of Wailua, significant other Keani Ebesu of Wailua, and numerous uncles, aunties and cousins.
A service is Saturday, July 30, at Garden Island Mortuary, with viewing from 3 to 4:30 p.m, and celebration of life at 4:30 p.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Alberto Academia Ho‘opi‘i
Alberto Academia Ho‘opi‘i, of ‘Ele‘ele, passed away on July 4, 2022, at the age of 87. He was born on Dec. 30, 1934 in Hana, Maui. He was a retired truck driver with Amfac lumber yard in Hanapepe.
He was preceded in death by wife Caroline Ho‘opi‘i, mother Elizabeth Lazaro, father Damiano Lazaro, daughter Rowena Stone, great-granddaughter Kaisa Gramberg, brothers Walter Dela Cruz, Damiano “Gundy” Lazaro, Andrew “Bla” Lazaro and Patrick “Paleka” Lazaro and sister Peggy Wisneski.
He is survived by sons Fabian “Duke” (Renee) Ho‘opi‘i of Alaska and Alberto “Jr.” (Patsy) Ho‘opi‘i of Kalaheo, daughters Deborah “Mamo” Shimatsu of Kekaha, Norma (Dean) Ho‘opi‘i-Manuel of Waimea, Camille (David) Hesapene of Hanapepe, 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, brother Anthony “Antone” (Hilda) Lazaro of Hanapepe, sisters Mercedes “Mercy” Lazaro of Kekaha and Barbara Frasco of Kekaha, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Aug. 6, at St. Theresa Church in Kekaha. Viewing is from 9 to 11 a.m., Mass at 11:30 a.m. and cremation to follow. The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
William ‘Bill’ Troutman
William “Bill” Troutman, 70, passed away at his home in Kilauea, on July 10, 2022. He was born in Chicago on April 18, 1952, and worked on Kaua‘i as a tradesman giving back to the community.
He was preceded in death by parents Adrian Sr. and Marie Troutman and brothers Adrian Troutman Jr. and Edward Ray Troutman.
He is survived by daughter Caroline Noble and her son Justin Noble Jr., daughter Jennifer Curtice and her children and grandchildren, mother of his child Jonarene Agbisit, siblings Mary Ann (Cecil) Dust, Sandra Ann (Robert) Berger, Nanci Faye (Patrick) Grach, Alice Rose Sistak, Lyn Toby (Michael) Miller and James Alpha (Lisa) Troutman.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. For information on services please contact Caroline Noble at noblecaroline22@gmail.com.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Henrietta Daisy Leinani Gonsalves
Henrietta Daisy Leinani Gonsalves passed away at her home, on July 4, 2022, at the age of 86. She was born on Jan. 13, 1936, in Kapa‘a. She worked as one of the “Lunch Ledehz” at Kapa‘a High and Intermediate, and later worked at Flowers and Joys in Kapa‘a.
She was preceded in death by parents Isaiah Kalunakanawai and Daisy Ka‘auwai, mother and father-in-law Peter and Jennie Gonsalves, brothers John Keonaona Ka‘auwai, Joseph Ho‘onani Ka‘auwai, James Ho‘omaika‘i Ka‘auwai, Samuel Kaulia Ka‘auwai, Isaiah Kalunakanawai Ka‘auwai III, Kenneth Hokumalamalama Ka‘auwai and Abraham Lincoln Ka‘auwai, sisters Esther Rose Ka‘auwai Teraoka, Elizabeth Nellie Ka‘auwai Costa, Abbie Kananimalamlama Ka‘auwai Nabeshima and Maureen Kealoha Ka‘auwai Seagrove.
She is survived by husband Robert Fairbanks Gonsalves Sr., sons Robert (Gail) Gonsalves Jr., Douglas (Summer) Keola Gonsalves and Alan Kalama (Kelli) Gonsalves, daughters Roberta Leinani (Allen) Bactad and Joyleen TeeTee (Kachi) Rivera, brothers William King (Nan) Ka‘auwai, Bert (Blaze Ann) Ka‘auwai, sisters Annette Ku‘uipoaloha Ka‘auwai and Linda Napua Butchie (Dan) Iwamoto, sister-in-law Barbara Ka‘auwai, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.
A service is at Kapa‘a First Hawaiian Church on Saturday, Aug. 13, with visitation at 9 a.m. followed by service at 11 a.m.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Eric Hill Parr
Eric Hill Parr passed away on June 24, 2022, at Leahi Hospital on O‘ahu. He was born on May 5, 1949, in Los Angeles. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He never let the accident that disabled him in 1970 stop him from achieving his goals. He graduated with his master’s degree in public health from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa in 2000, and he is the author of a yet to be published memoir entitled “Searching For My Perfect Burrito.”
He was preceded in death by parents William and Jacqueline Parr and sister Katherine (Katy) Parr.
He is survived by sister Christine Farina, stepbrother Bob Benton, stepsister Maryanne Benton, brother-in-law Kimo Shaw, niece Chelsea (Bill) Alexander, great nieces Amber (Kanoe) Alapa‘i-Hashimoto, Ashley (Sam III) Thronas and Maya Loughead, great-great nieces Erin and Devin Thronas, great-great nephews Sam Thronas IV and Isaac Alapa‘i-Hashimoto, and best friends Laura Hirayama, Lorraine Rapozo, Nick Martin and Mick Boyle.
A memorial celebrating his life is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at ‘Anini Beach Park north pavilion.
