Obituaries for Wednesday, September 28, 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.
Lola M. Bukoski
Lola M. Bukoski, 78, of Koloa, passed away on July 28, 2022, at Wilcox Medical Center. She was born on Sept. 26, 1943, in Lihu‘e. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by parents Michael and Lillian Iida and husband Samuel K. Bukoski.
She is survived by daughters Weena (Royden) Kusaka and Tammy (Jack) Nishimoto, sons Elton “E.J.” Bukoski, Sam Bukoski and Kika Bukoski, brother Steven (Nicky) Iida, sister Cheryl Sasaki, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Oct. 1, at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Visitation is from 9 to 10:45 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m.
Beverly Janice Primero
Beverly Janice Primero, 69, of Kapa‘a, passed away on Sept. 13, 2022. She was born on April 6, 1953, in Lihu‘e. She retired from Kojima Store as a cashier.
She was preceded in death by father Felix Primero, mother Beatrice Primero-Nawanao, stepfather Frank Nawanao and sister Patricia Beach.
She is survived by brother Felix Primero of California, sister Linda Lopez of Hilo, hanai sister Eva Joy Miner-Peru of Kaua‘i, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Thursday, Sept. 29, at St. Catherine Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. She will be rejoined with her mom at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patricia Ann Perez Lopes
Patricia Ann Perez Lopes passed away on Sept. 16, 2022, in Anahola at the age of 76. She was born on May 29, 1946, in Honolulu. She was a school bus driver.
She is preceded in death by father Teodoro Perez Sr., mother Marjorie Perez, brothers Earl Perez, Johny Perez and Joseph Perez and sisters Miriam Perez and Betty Tautala.
She is survived by husband John Kellepine Lopes Jr. of Anahola, sons Calvin Arroyo of Salt Lake, Teddy Arroyo of Lihu‘e, Ioane Lopes of Lawa‘i and Aukai Lopes of Anahola, daughters Lavina Taovao of Anahola, Kolina Lopes-Carter of Wai‘anae and Aulani Lopes-Villalobos of Anahola, brothers Teodoro “Boy” Perez Jr. of Honolulu and Richard Perez of Honolulu, sisters Theresa Cooper of Delaware, Lavina Spivey of Honolulu, 19 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Oct. 1, at Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation with family is from 3 to 4 p.m. with services to follow.
The family requests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Judith ‘Judy’ Ellen Jardin Gonsalves
Judith “Judy” Ellen Jardin Gonsalves, of Kalaheo, passed away Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 77, at Straub Medical Center on O‘ahu. She was born Oct. 22, 1944, in Waimea to Albert and Clara Jardin, the first of two daughters.
The vast majority of her life was spent in Kalaheo, near family. She graduated from Waimea High School in 1962. In 1966 she met the love of her life, Leon Gonsalves Sr., as they worked together at Waiohai Hotel. She and Leon were married in March of 1967 and remained together until his passing in 2015. Together they very proudly raised four sons.
She loved animals, especially dogs, and couldn’t remember a time in her adult life when she didn’t have a dog. More often than not, it was multiple dogs at the same time.
Judy held different jobs over the years, such as house cleaning for private residences and working at various grocery stores. She enjoyed her final employment as a meat wrapper for Sueoka Store in Koloa the most.
She was preceded in death by parents Albert and Clara Gomes Jardin, husband Leon Gonsalves Sr., son Lionel Gonsalves, brother-in-law Peter Kali and nephew Peter Kali Jr.
She is survived by her sons Leon (Patricia) Gonsalves Jr., Lance (Tobey) Gonsalves, Loran (Linette Rita) Gonsalves, seven grandsons, four great-grandchildren, sister Alberta Kali and niece Clarice Kali.
Private services will be held. The immediate family will receive family and friends at the family home at 4590 Pu‘uwai Rd, Kalaheo, on Saturday, Oct. 8, at noon.
Jane Iwamoto Hiranaka
Jane Iwamoto Hiranaka passed away on Sept. 19, 2022, in Lihu‘e, at the age of 88. She was born on Nov. 30, 1933, in Lihu‘e. She was a retired secretary for Matson Navigation.
She was preceded in death by mother Tsugi Saiki, sisters May Tomita, Phyllis Morita and Susan Iwasaki, brother Hiro Saiki, and brothers-in-law Koichi Tomita and Kaoru Morita.
She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with the arrangements.
John ‘JP’ Alexander Kalimahana Punua
John “JP” Alexander Kalimahana Punua was born in Lihu‘e on Sept. 15, 1956. He grew up in Wailua, 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. He enjoyed an outstanding, 37-year career as a senior 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) and Edward Sr. (Vanessa), nieces Kei‘alohi, Kawehi (Russell) and Leimomi, nephews Kaimana, Matthew (Patrice), Micah, Kala‘e (Kris), Iki (Chandee), Marcus and Edward Jr., grand-nieces Victoria, Lana, Stella and Lilinoe, and grand-nephews Kamakau, Hekili and Mason.
A service is Saturday, Oct. 8, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Kapa‘a. Visitation starts at 1 p.m., service at 3 p.m. and reception to follow.
Gordon James Mattos
Gordon James Mattos, 77, of Kekaha, passed away on Sept. 18, 2022, at home surrounded by his wife and eight children. He was born on Feb. 18, 1945, in Hilo, and graduated from St. Joseph High School. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy before starting his career with the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, where he retired with over 51 years of dedicated service.
He was preceded in death by parents John and Mary (Amaral) Mattos and brothers Robert and John “Jippy” Mattos.
He is survived by wife Adele (Pereira) Mattos, children Marlene (Greg) Cieless, John “Scooby” (Joanna) Mattos, Loretta (Joshua) Witmer, Adeline (Julian) Gilliam, Christine (Robbie Jr.) Silva, Timothy Mattos, Jessica Mattos and Mary (Trisdon) Yadao, 20 grandchildren, brothers Roy (Jill) Mattos and Thomas (Jackie) Mattos, sisters Rosemary Nunogawa, Bernadette Tomas and Sharon (John) Macayan, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services are Saturday, Oct. 8, at St. Theresa Church, with visitation from 8 a.m. and Mass to begin promptly at 9 a.m. A private burial service will follow. The family respectfully requests no monetary gifts or flowers.
Felicita Dela Cruz Salonson
Felicita Dela Cruz Salonson passed away on Aug. 20, 2022, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital, at the age of 83. She was born on Jan. 6, 1939, in the Philippines. She was an agricultural helper with Pioneer HI-Bred International.
She was preceded in death by husband Fortunato Villanueva, parents Luis Valeriana Abraham and Pelagia Sagadraca Dela Cruz, sisters Melinia Villanueva and Erlinda Esquerra and brother-in-law Laurentino Villanueva.
She is survived by husband Herminigildo Salonson of Kekaha, son Novy (Remy) Villanueva of the Philippines, grandchildren Terrence, Kevin and Chase Villanueva, great-grandchild Calix Ghelver Menor Villanueva, brothers Ernesto (Rebecca) Dela Cruz of San Francisco and Jose (Virginia) Dela Cruz of the Philippines, brother-in-law Benedicto Esquerra of the Philippines, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A service is Friday, Sept. 30, at the West Kaua‘i United Methodist Church in Kekaha. Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by service. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lawrence ‘Larry’ Mata
Lawrence “Larry” Mata, of Kekaha and Lihu‘e, ascended to heaven on Sept. 23, 2022, at the age of 84. He was born on April 29, 1938, in Hilo Hawai‘i. He was one of 14 children. He had seven sisters and six brothers. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, and later retired as a master sergeant from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard and as an air traffic controller at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years Wilma “Bucky” Mata, son Larry, grandsons Bryson and Byron, brothers Harry, Henry, George, Gilbert, Walter and Raymond, and sisters Carnation Mirafuentes, Angelina Akau, Elizabeth Mata, Gloria Dela Cruz, Delores Chuck and Peggy Paningsoro.
He is survived by children Sharlene Mata, Robert Mata, Marianne Mata and Sheana Alapa‘i, daughter-in-law Davelynn Mata, grandchildren Ki‘inani, Larry Boy, Kainalu, Kanani, Kaysha and Chelsea, 11 great-grandchildren, sister Barbara Camacho, and his many “favorite” nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e. Visitation is from 9 a.m., with services to follow at 10 a.m. If unable to attend, in honor of Larry, please “pop a top.”
