Obituaries for Friday, September 23, 2022
Judith David Irons (Judy Bell)
Judith David Irons (Judy Bell)
Judith David Irons (Judy Bell) passed peacefully at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on June 1, 2022. She was born on March 4, 1948, in California. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, teacher and friend.
She is survived by husband Joseph Conrad Clifford.
Her celebration of life is Friday, Sept. 30, at Lydgate Park’s main pavilion, beginning at 5 p.m.
Richard John Gonsalves Sr.
Richard John Gonsalves Sr., 77, of Nevada, passed away on Aug. 4, 2022, at Renown Hospital in Nevada. He was born on Nov. 26, 1944, in Lihu‘e. He was a truck driver supervisor for Kings Construction, Inc. in Nevada.
He was preceded in death by wife Donna M. Gonsalves, fiancée Nancy Fernandez, parents Joseph and Adeline Pereira, sisters Roseline and David Victorino Sr., Brenda and Ernest Moniz Sr., brothers Joseph Gonsalves Sr., Wayne and Deborah Perreira Sr., granddaughter Amber Koko, in-laws Margaret Olshefski and John Nunes, William Souza, Marilyn Perreira, Priscilla and Harvey Garcia, Louise and Kenneth Santos and Joseph Daos.
He is survived by children Patrica (Norman) Gomes of California, Deanna (Chubby) Arakaki of Lihu‘e, Donna (Tony) Silva of Kapa‘a, Dela (Jeffery) Robbins of Maui, Richard (Denise) Gonsalves Jr. of Nevada, Desiree (Patrick) Koko of Anahola, sister Adeline “Angie” Souza of Nevada, brother Godfrey Pereira of Hanama‘ulu, in-laws Iranda Gonsalves of Kapa‘a, Jennifer Daos of Lihu‘e, 25 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Ricardo Sales Fermin
Ricardo Sales Fermin passed away on Aug. 27, 2022, at the age of 102. He was born on April 23, 1920, in Balacad, Ilocos Norte Philippines. He was a flume installer for McBryde Sugar Company.
He was preceded in death by wife Presentacion Fermin, daughter Grace Dixon and son-in-law Todd Dixon.
He is survived by son Randall (Chrystal) Fermin of Ewa Beach, O‘ahu, daughter Aileen Fermin of ‘Ele‘ele, Kaua‘i, grandchildren Timothy Dixon, Jessica Dixon, Madison Fermin, Makanalani Fermin and Mallory Fermin, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life services is Saturday, Oct. 8, at Garden Island Mortuary. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at Kaua‘i Memorial Garden on Monday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. The family requests aloha attire and kindly omits flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with the arrangements.
David Cecelio Otoman
David Cecelio Otoman passed away on Aug. 16, 2022, in Kekaha, at the age of 69. He was born on July 21, 1953, in Waimea. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a heavy equipment tractor operator at Kekaha Sugar Co.
He was preceded in death by parents Cipriano and Sachie Otoman, brothers Sidney Nishiyama, Michael Otoman and sister Sherry Ann Otoman.
He is survived by sons Davey John Ancheta of Las Vegas, Nevada, Kyle Otoman of Austin, Texas, daughter Devie Darla Dale Otoman-Dadius (Taylor) of Las Vegas, Nevada, grandchildren Chelsey Magtoto, Elijah Otoman, Pomaika‘i Feig, Aliyah Feig, Dalen Feig, Joseph Ancheta, Jordan Ancheta, Benson Ancheta, brothers Gene (Elaine Otoman) of Waimea, Kaua‘i, Joseph Otoman of Kekaha, Kaua‘i, sisters Judy (Guy) Fujita of Waimea, Kaua‘i, Lisa (Robin) Murayama of Niumalu, Kaua‘i, sister-in-law Marynel Otoman of Ewa Beach, O‘ahu, Carmelita Nishiyama of Tacoma, Washington, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation 9 to 10:30 a.m. and celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers. The family also request social distancing and face masks be worn.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Loretta ‘Lori’ Ellen Ventura
On Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, Loretta “Lori” Ellen Ventura passed away. Lori was born May 26, 1938, in Kaua‘i, to Wallace and Caroline Ah Nee (Fujita). She was the oldest of three children. Lori and Bill attended Holy Cross Catholic School and there began their lifelong devotion to each other. Lori was so proud of her accomplishment graduating from Queen of Angels in Los Angeles, California, with a BS in Nursing. After graduation in 1958, Lori married her best friend, Bill. By 1965, the family moved to Huntington Beach, California. Through faith and patience, Lori and Bill raised their ten children. As active members of St. Bonaventure parish and school, Lori and Bill rooted their children in faith, devotion to God, and love for family.
Lori was a devoted wife, nurturing mother, grandmother, Tutu, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend to many. Although she suffered from her illness, she never lost her faith and devotion to Mary.
She is survived by her husband Bill, 10 children, 30 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. Greg (Jackie), Tambi (Gregg), Karlyne (Mike), Chris (Flor), Kym, Tiffany, Tiare (Mike), Todd (Joanna), Jon (Denise), brother Bob (Lu) and sister Lani (Jack).
Funeral services will be held at St. Bonaventure Church in Huntington Beach on Saturday, Sept. 24, with the rosary at 9:30 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. followed by a “celebration of life” in the parish hall.
Tatsuo Steven Shiraki
Tatsuo Steven Shiraki, 82, of Quincy, Illinois, passed away on July 18, 2022, at Quincy Healthcare and Senior Living. He was born on Feb. 15, 1940, in Lihu‘e.
He was preceded in death by parents Satoshi and Shina Shiraki and brother Thomas Shiraki.
He is survived by wife Edith, son John (Kelly) Shiraki, daughter Anne Shiraki, sister Evelyn (Donald) Nagamine, niece Lorna Nagamine and nephew Donn (Susan) Nagamine.
A private inurnment will be held at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery. The family requests no koden (monetary gifts) and flowers be omitted.
John ‘JP’ Alexander Kalimahana Punua
John was born in Lihu‘e on Sept. 15, 1956. He grew up in Wailua, Kaua‘i, and passed away peacefully on Aug. 23, 2022. He lived a great life and was loved and appreciated by his family, many friends and co-workers. JP enjoyed an outstanding 37 yr career as a Sr. Flight Attendant with Hawaiian Airlines.
He was preceded in death by mother Mary Ann Ku‘uleialoha Punua.
He is survived by father Victor Punua Sr., daughter Herenui Ku‘uleialoha Punua, former wife Cara Tekopunui, sister Ku‘uleialoha(Yossi), brothers Victor Jr. (Cheryle), Wallis (Shana), Edward Sr.(Vanessa), nieces Kei‘alohi, Kawehi (Russell), Leimomi, nephews Kaimana, Matthew (Patrice), Micah, Kala‘e (Kris), Iki (Chandee), Marcus, Edward Jr., grand nieces Victoria, Lana, Stella, Lilinoe, grand nephews Kamakau, Hekili and Mason.
A service is Saturday, Oct. 8, at All Saints Church, Kapa‘a. Visitation starts at 1 p.m., service at 3 p.m. and reception to follow.
Rosemarie Ubongan
Rosemarie Ubongan, 80, of Kapa‘a, passed away peacefully at her home with her husband and three daughters by her side on Aug. 2, 2022. She was born on Sept. 23, 1941, in Lihu‘e. She was best known for owning and operating Dorrik’s Super Service with her husband Dorrik.
She was preceded in passing by parents Harry (Thelma) Victorino and brother David Victorino Sr.
She is survived by her loving husband Dorrik Ubongan, daughters Dorrian (Buddy) Lizama, Dorrine (John) Fornfeist, Dorrilyn (Kenderson Caspillo) Ubongan, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A service is Saturday, Sept. 24, at Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Church in Anahola, with visitation from 9 a.m. and services celebrated at 11 a.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Alice M. Nishihira
Alice M. Nishihira passed away on Sept. 15, 2022, in Waimea, at the age of 91. She was born on Sept. 29, 1930, in Honolulu. She was a retired secretary.
She was preceded in death by parents Kana and Matsu Shimabuku, husband Donald N. Nishihira, son-in-law Curtis Beougher, brothers Seijin Hokama and George Shimabuku.
She is survived by sons Jerry (Lenie) Nishihira of Kalaheo, Cy (Deb) Nishihira of Honolulu, daughters Amy Beougher of Ohio, Lynn (Brett) Bauer of Ohio, Joy (Eddy) Kaneshiro of Honolulu, O‘ahu, brother James (Elsie) Shimabuku of Hawai‘i, sisters Lynette Nishimura of Hawai‘i, Rose Morita of Hawai‘i, Nancy Furuta of Hawai‘i, Ruth Shima of Hawai‘i, grandchildren Alyssa (James) Griffin, Jaclyn Nishihira, Elijah Nishihira, Brysen Sagucio, Kelseyanne (Brandon) Pavo, Micah Kaneshiro, Mia Kaneshiro, Gavin Nishihira, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Joshua Y.M. Hew
Known as a man of second chances, Joshua Y.M. Hew, 78, of Kapa‘a, passed away at Pali Momi Medical Center on O‘ahu on Sept. 5, 2022. He was born on March 12, 1944, in Honolulu, to Peter and Martha Hew, who moved the family to Kaua‘i in 1946. He attended high school at Hawaiian Mission Academy on O‘ahu and at Lynnwood Adventist Academy in California and graduated from Woodbury College in California. He had a varitey of jobs in his lifetime such as an accountant for a hosipital in California, general manager for Best Fruits on Kaua‘i, administrative assistant to the late Mayor Tony Kunimura, account executive for Horizon Lines, and, lastly, he was finally able to be his own boss.
He is survived by his wife Stella, daughter Jeanne (James) Rodriguez, son Alan (Jude) Hew, two granddaughters Jayne (Justin) Rivera, Jenna (Joshua) Rodriquez, three great-grandchildren Jayli, Jaxon and Jaden, siblings Rachel Same, Naomi Yoshida, Jerome Hew, two nieces, four nephews and numerous cousins. He was also survived by his sidekick Biscuit and his collection of pet goats.
Services will be held at the Kapa‘a Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sunday, Sept. 25. Visitation with the family will be from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by service at 10 a.m. The family suggests aloha attire.
Nu‘uanu Mortuary assisted the family with the arrangements.
