Obituaries for Friday, September 30, 2022
Ricardo Sales Fermin
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, 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.
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.
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), 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 and Lilinoe, 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.
Elizabeth Jean ‘Betty’ Ferreira Gatewood
Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Ferreira Gatewood was born in Koloa, Kaua‘i Nov. 3, 1941, and died on Sept. 5, 2022, in San Jose. She was the third of four children born to John and Mary Ferreira. As a young girl, she loved being outdoors, climbing trees and keeping company with the many animals around the yard. Like her sister Dorothy, Betty was enchanted by the beauty of her surroundings and a love of plants and flowers became a life-long passion.
Betty attended Holy Cross Catholic School and Kaua‘i High. During that time Betty and her sisters briefly worked as hula dancers at a local hotel’s hula show. She also worked as an extra in the movie “South Pacific” for which she was paid $60 a day, a lofty sum for that time. After graduation Betty attended nursing school at St. Francis hospital in Honolulu where she met Boyd Gatewood, a Coast Guardsman who was stationed on O‘ahu. Two weeks later, the two were engaged. Boyd and Betty married on Sept. 16, 1961, at St Rafael’s Church in Koloa. Although she wanted to become a registered nurse, she made the decision to leave nursing school with a degree as a licensed vocational nurse, because, at that time, married women were not allowed to remain in the program.
The newlyweds flew to California and embarked on their honeymoon, driving cross country to visit his family in Texas and New York. One of her fondest memories was watching the film premier of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” at Radio City Music Hall. The next year Lisa Louise was born, and then Traci Lee in 1964. A few months later, the family moved from Costa Mesa to San Jose. She first worked at Valley Medical Center and then at Kaiser Permanente, where she’d remain for over 30 years. During her tenure at Kaiser, she worked in clinical nursing and was promoted to supervisor, then manager of several key departments including EKG, Allergy and Psychiatry. After her retirement she continued to work at San Jose Job Corp, a federal residential, educational and job-training program for at risk youth. It was at job corp that she got back to the very basics of nursing, which she very much enjoyed.
Parenting was a priority for Betty and Boyd, even though both worked full time and Lisa and Traci were “latch-key” kids. There was many a time when sibling arguments were settled over the phone by calling “mom” at work. Camping and, later, family motorhome vacations to Canada and Yellowstone, were unforgettable adventures. Family gatherings with Betty’s beloved sister and best friend, Jackie, were cherished times. In later years Betty and Jackie took turns caring for their mother, Mary, who came to live in California from Kaua‘i, often playfully arguing about who got to have “mom” the longest.
She doted on her garden, notably her orchids, roses and annuals. She volunteered for the Commission of Status of Women and at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley.
In later years, Betty and Boyd traveled to New Orleans and Europe. Visits to Kaua‘i became an annual event. Betty was known to scour the island looking for guavas to make guava jam. Most weekends were spent with her daughters on outings to craft festivals, Costco runs, or just breakfast at The Bite of Wyoming. She loved Hawaiian music, Prince, Leon Russell, and Sammy Davis Jr. “Moonstruck,” “16 Candles” and “Pride and Prejudice” were favorite movies. She loved her dogs and cats, and the Gatewood home became a refuge for strays.
She leaves behind her loving husband of 61 years, her two daughters, her son-in-law Matt Jacquet, her brother John Ferreira, her two dogs – Koloa Jack and Mary (named after her parents) and her current brood of felines. She was an intelligent, practical, funny and kind woman. She suffered no fools, was not afraid of death, and lived life to the fullest. A celebration of life is being planned. Please contact Traci Gatewood-Jacquet at traci@gatewoodinsurance.com or call 408 205-5104 for more info. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to send a donation to The Humane Society of Silicon Valley (https://secure.hssv.org).
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, Joseph Perez, 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, Aukai Lopes of Anahola, daughters Lavina Taovao of Anahola, Kolina Lopes-Carter of Waianae, Aulani Lopes-Villalobos of Anahola, brothers Teodoro “Boy” Perez Jr. of Honolulu, Richard Perez of Honolulu, sisters Theresa Cooper of Delaware, Lavina Spivey of Honolulu, 19 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 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. and services to follow.
The family requests casual attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tanya Angeliqua Hall
Tanya Angeliqua Hall, 50, of Wailua Homesteads, passed away on Sept. 22, 2022. She was born on Nov. 18, 1971, in California. She was a private nurse.
She is survived by children Kaila Hall, Josh (Jaquelyn) Hall, Mason Hall, parents Ruben and Gloria Ruiz, three grandchildren, siblings Rebecca Trancoso, Rene Cuevas, Andrea Cuevas, Sonia (Luis) Muniz, Tasha Koorey, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A paddle out will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Kukui‘ula Harbor beginning at 9:30 a.m. Loose flowers are welcome.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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 his wife Adele (Pereira) Mattos, eight 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, Thomas (Jackie) Mattos, sisters Rosemary Nunogawa, Bernadette Tomas, Sharon (John) Macayan, 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.
Jack Haruo Iida, Jr.
Jack Haruo Iida, Jr., 78, of Wailua, passed away on June 15, 2022. He was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. His early years were spent in Japan since his father was a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from Narimasu High School in Japan and the University of Hawai‘i with a business degree. He had a long career with Duty Free Shoppers. He was a sales manager at the airport in Honolulu and managed a shop on Kaua‘i and Narita Airport in Japan. He enjoyed golfing and fishing. After returning from Japan, he resided in Wailua, Kaua‘i. He worked part-time as a starter and cashier at the Wailua Golf Course.
He is survived by sister June (Wilfred) Ikemoto, two nieces and a nephew.
A private memorial will be held. The family requests no koden be given.
Aldrico C. Butac
Aldrico C. Butac passed away on Sept. 14, 2022, in Waimea at the age of 85. He was born on Jan. 1, 1937, in the Philippines. He was a cornfield laborer.
He was survived by wife Cerelina Butac of Kaumakani, son Edward Butac, daughter-in-law Teresita Butac, grandchildren Bryan Sagucio, James Sagucio, Jeldric Alupay, Jhonsen Alupay, Jerico Alupay, sisters Candelaria Sinang, Feliza Ramones, Juliana Domingcil, Lucresia Madela, 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 9 to 11 a.m. with services to follow. Burial will follow at Kekaha Public Cemetery. 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. Born on April 29, 1938, in Hilo, Hawai‘i. One of 14 siblings; he had seven sisters and six brothers. Larry Mata 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.
Larry was predeceased 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.
Surviving family members include Larry’s 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”.
