Amby ‘Boy’ Gregory Cruz
Amby “Boy” Gregory Cruz, who resided in New York, originally from ‘Oma‘o, passed away on Jan. 20, 2023, at his residence at the age of 66.
Born on Feb. 1, 1956, in Lihu‘e, he was a retired customer agent at The Lambs Club By Geoffrey Zakarian, New York.
He was preceded in death by parents Amby and Consuelo “Connie” Cruz, grandparents Gregorio and Juliana Bali and Pedro and Emiliana Dela Cruz, and numerous uncles, aunties and cousins.
He is survived by brothers and sister Anthony (Edelwisa) Cruz of Hanapepe, Adela (Alexander) Padasdao of Koloa and Arnold (Genevieve) Cruz of Kahili, nieces and nephews Tiffany (Chad) Dusenberry, Bryson (Tiffany) Bernades, Annie (Keith) Nonaka, Austin (Christopher Castro) Cruz, Alisa (Joshua Sheldon-Kaualoku) Padasdao, Andrew (Waihea Gonsalves) Cruz, Alexio Padasdao and Zaylie Schmidt Cruz, grand-nieces and grand-nephews Kairus Pedro, Nathan Bennor, Blake Cruz-Gonsalves, Peyton Cruz-Gonsalves, Brylynn Bernades, Braxtyn Bernades and Keiryn Nonaka, and numerous uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
A celebration of life is Saturday, March 18, at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Visitation with family begins at 8 a.m., Mass at 10 a.m., and burial to follow at Lihu‘e Public Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Marissa Cunningham, Quinn-Fogarty Funeral Home, and Bruce Hiraoka, Garden Island Mortuary.
Sadamu ‘Sam’ ‘Aka’ Akamine
Sadamu “Sam” “Aka” Akamine, 93, of Kekaha, went to be with Jesus on March 3, 2023. He served as a Marine sergeant in the Korean War, was employed as a master plumber for 48 years for the Kekaha Sugar Company, and was an avid fisherman.
He was the cherished husband of Fujiko (Nada), father to Hale (Gayle), Claire (Ed) China, Lorna (Hayden) Hu, Sandra (Richard) Kishaba and Kurt (Kristi), grandfather to Rachel (Kawika) Kau‘i, Trevor Hu, Ryne Mizushima, Matthew, Joshua and Jonathan Kishaba, Erin and Ezra Akamine and Hope Akamine, and great-grandfather to Nova Kau‘i. He was the brother to Tsuruko Shimabukuro, Mitsuno Hada, Yachiyo Nakamatsu and Teisuke Akamine, all of whom preceded him in death. He was “Uncle Sam” to many nieces and nephews, “Aka” to his friends, and a baseball coach.
Private services were held.
Visits with the family are welcomed on Saturday, March 18, at their home in Kekaha, 8388 Kopa‘a Road, from noon to 2 p.m.
Victoria ‘Vicky’ Yadao
Victoria “Vicky” Yadao, 78, of Kapa‘a, passed away at Kaua‘i Care Center on Feb. 26, 2023. She was born on June 25, 1944 in Wailuku, Maui, and was a retired school teacher at Kapa‘a High School.
She was preceded in death by husband Bernard “Nado” E. Yadao.
She is survived by children Frederica (Joey) Yadao Grant, Brian (Lei) Yadao, Theresa Yadao and Bernard “Nado” M. Yadao, brothers and sisters James Yadao, Angeline Leu, Cynthia Fune, William Yadao, Leonora Liebertz, Priscilla Yadao and Christopher Yadao Sr., grandchildren Brianna Jones, Elinah Yadao, Demaster Survine V, Jonathan Anderson-Yadao, Renee Anderson-Yadao, Jasmin Yadao, Kaimanu Yadao, Kamali‘i Yadao, Ke‘one Yadao, Palekelika Yadao, Kimi Yadao, Leialoha Cole and Tayden Yadao, and great-grandchildren Jaydyn Irving, Javonnie Jones and Nalani Anderson.
Vicky had a huge heart and lived life to the fullest. She loved to cook Filipino/local foods, do crossword puzzles, make Hawaiian ribbon leis, go to Kukui Grove Center to shop and talk story with her friends, and relax with a glass of her favorite vitamin C drink (as she called it), Crown Royal. We toast to you! Until we meet again.
