Obituaries for Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Antonina ‘Nina’ Villapania Mirafuentes
Antonina ‘Nina’ Villapania Mirafuentes
Antonina “Nina” Villapania Mirafuentes, 91, of Honolulu, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2023. She was born in Lihu‘e and was a retired County of Kaua‘i employee after many years of dedicated service.
She was predeceased by husband Victor Mirafuentes.
She is survived by sons Rendall, Robert “Noi” and Judson, daughters Noreen, Rhonda, Apryle and Ninette, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service is Sunday, June 11, at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e, beginning at 2 p.m. The family requests aloha or casual attire.
Josephine Hazel Maile Victor Soto
Josephine Hazel Maile Victor Soto passed away on April 24, 2023, in ‘Oma‘o, at the age of 94. She was born on May 23, 1928, in Honolulu. She was a hotel housekeeping/public area attendant.
She was preceded in death by husband John A. Soto Jr., parents Clement Victor and Anna Jennie Hatori Manoi, stepfather James K. Manoi, son-in-law Bruce W. Cosier, grandson Jamieson “Jay” Cosier and great-granddaughter Harley Jayde Soto.
She is survived by sons Andrei (Lois) Soto, Irving “Sarge” (Norine) Soto and Stafford (Heide) Soto, daughters Lorinda “Lori” Cosier and OrianaLee “Ori” Soto, grandchildren Ann-Janette Cosier Toledo, Bricille (Horace) Wallace, Michelle (Samoa) Siilata, Liane (Kenji) Sakai, Kalelei (Andy) Tawata, Kailana (Adam) Soto, Christopher (Lynne) Soto, Janna (Kalei) Harper, Kana‘e Soto and Aikoa Soto, great-grandchildren Trysen (Kimrah) Shigematsu Cosier, Isaiah, Kobe and Kamron Toledo, Shelbri-Ann Cosier, Torianna Dawkins, Isaiah Wallace, Maia, Victor, Raiden, Jaxson, Samson and Destiny Siilata, Noah, Dean and Jude Sakai, Addisyn, Kaydence and Kensly Tawata, Adrian and Julian Henkel, Hunter, Harlow, Hazely and Hilina‘i Soto, Shelyn Eliazar-Longboy, Caden (Nayesha) Olanolan and Jeremiah and Lehiwa Harper, great-great-grandson Kountry Olanolan, and many nephews, nieces and extended ohana.
A service is Friday, May 26, at the Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo. Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m. and Mass to follow. Burial will follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. The family requests aloha attire.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Laureta Ganal Ganiron
Laureta Ganal Ganiron passed away on April 17, 2023, at the age of 107. She was born in Pariir, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on Aug. 25, 1915, and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by husband of 56 years Fermin Ganiron, parents Ignacio and Eulogia Ganal, and siblings Melquiades Ganal, Celestino Ganal, Francesca Aguilar and Jacinta Ganiron.
She is survived by sons Felix (Juliana) Ganiron, Jaime (Fresnaida) Ganiron and Teodulo (Pacita) Ganiron, hanai daughter Elena (Manuel) Respicio, grandchildren Fhilamer Joy (Thomas) Kim, Fern (Flaviano Jr.) Reyes, Fae Gwen (Anson) Wooding, Jaime Jeffrey (Alexandra) Ganiron, Jason (Tess) Ganiron, Jayleen (Royden) Ikehara, Ernest (Kimberly) Ganiron, Elmer (Sylvia) Ganiron, Marvin (Arianne) Respicio and Mark (Rhea) Respicio, great-grandchildren TJ Kim, Lauryn Kim, Christian Reyes, Forrest Reyes, Ella Lourdes Ganiron, Tessa Ganiron, Jazmine Ikehara, Jenna Ikehara, Maison Ganiron, Noah Ganiron, Kaylyn Ganiron, Owen Ganiron, Maymay Respicio, Kamaile Respicio, Haven Respicio, Caiden Zeus Respicio, Xander Apollo Respicio and Avery Athena Respicio, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 3, at the Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m., Mass beginning at 10 a.m., and burial to follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bernard Duarte Sr.
Bernard Duarte Sr., 82, of Wailua, passed away on April 30, 2023, in Honolulu. He was born on July 25, 1940, in Lihu‘e. He was a retired fireman.
He was preceded in death by wife Cynthia Duarte, brother Dennis Kalaniopua Duarte, sister Gwendolyn Ho‘olu Duarte and stepson Anthony Waipa.
He is survived by siblings John Akoni Duarte, Libbie Kealoha Duarte Feroben and Jack Nishimoto, sons Bernard (Heidi) Duarte Jr., Jonathan Duarte and Brendan (Mahealani) Duarte, stepsons Cedrick Waipa and John Waipa I and John Waipa II, daughter Maile (Chad) Hamada, and numerous grandchildren.
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 10, at Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center, starting at 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire.
Christina Lyn Hernandez
Christina Lyn Hernandez, 44, of ‘Oma‘o, passed away on April 20, 2023 at Straub Hawai‘i Pacific Health in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu on April 20, 1979, and worked for Kaua‘i Freight Service as an office clerk.
She was preceded in passing by maternal grandparents Faustino S. and Vicky Hernandez and paternal grandfather Marcial Labrador Constantino.
She is survived by husband Christopher Ibanez, parents Severa Lynn (Rey Cabico) Constantino and Rizal (Desiree) Constantino, brothers John Eric (Kayla) Constantino and Glenard Paul Constantino, stepsister Kristen (Eliezer Butay) Cabico, paternal grandmother Ester Constantino, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service is at Aloha Church Kaua‘i in Lihu‘e on Saturday, May 27. Visitation starts at 8:30 a.m., a celebration of life is at 10 a.m., and burial will follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Helen Valencia Peterson
Helen Valencia Peterson, 62, of ‘Oma‘o, passed away on March 26, 2023, in Valencia, California. She was born on April 19, 1960, in Capasan, Philippines. She worked at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Po‘ipu, in the Grand Club.
She was preceded in death by father Juan Valencia and mother Segundina Gali Valencia.
She is survived by husband Gary Peterson, daughters Beverly Manuel and Melody Manuel, son Jeremy Manuel, stepchildren Jeremy Peterson, Jason Peterson, Josh Peterson, Kyra (Matt) Sneddon and Halle (Jake) Lester, seven grandchildren, sisters Presentacion (Abe) Aquino, Herminia Ancheta, Pacita (Manny) Simpliciano, Soledad Valencia, Dolores (Wayne) Delos Santos, Merlita Valencia and Susana (Dan) Abadilla, brothers Pedro (Rita) Valencia and Benito (Cina) Valencia, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is Saturday, May 27, at Koloa Neighborhood Center starting at 1 p.m. The family requests casual attire.
Gregoria ‘Aunty Gloria’ Albarado
Gregoria “Aunty Gloria” Albarado passed away on March 28, 2023 at Kaua‘i Care Center in Waimea at the age of 93. She was born on Oct. 17, 1929 in Makaweli. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by husband Crabs Arsenio Albarado, daughter Vicky Nelson, parents Florentino and Josepha Oyamot, and brothers Pedro, Dilikano, Eulalio, Marcelo, Severino, Alberto and Luciano Oyamot.
She is survived by sons Anson (Donna Mae) Albarado of Wisconsin, Henry (Miriam) Albarado of Waimea and Teddy (Norene) Albarado of Wailua Homesteads, daughters Gwen Batara of Makaweli and Sandi (Ralph) Artaho of Hanapepe, grandchildren Andy (Alicia) Albarado, Jill Albarado, Tracy (Joseph Porras) Nelson, Torey Nelson, Kelsie (Jordan Sagucio) Rita, Skye (Cody) Madigan, Kainoa Batara, Kristen Matsuura-Albarado, Marissa (Matthew Brigoli) Albarado, Tiana (Kevin) Albarado, Cody Artaho and Cayden Artaho, great-grandchildren Kaila, Kaena, Cory, Cade, Arden, Aisley, Aliyah, Luke and Liam, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private celebration of life was held.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Leo Richard Patch
Leo Richard Patch, 66, of Hanalei, passed away at home on Feb. 12, 2023. He was born in Massachusetts on July 15, 1956, to John and Marita Patch, ninth out of 10 children. He was the proprietor of Glass Masters of Hawai‘i since 1984.
He was a strong-willed, hard-working and generous man. He loved smiling and making people laugh. He had a passion for surfing, was a globe trotter who traveled the world, a man of faith who grew up in California and lived on Kaua‘i for 43 years.
He is survived by children John, Angela and Thomas Patch, grandchildren Juliana Patch, Leona Patch, Mahealani Patch-Tavares, Konanui Patch-Tavares, Ioei Patch-Tavares, Keokawai Patch-Tavares and Kawena Patch-Tavares, sisters Ann Rother, Angela Palmer, Jeane Stevens and Priscilla Granger, brother William Patch, mother of his children Loraine Patch, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, May 27, at Hanalei Black Pot Beach Park, beginning at 10 a.m.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Richard Vidinha
Richard Vidinha passed away on May 3, 2023, at the age of 96.
He was born on Aug. 10, 1926, on Kaua‘i. He was a retired police captain for the County of Kaua‘i, rancher, Hawaiian saddlemaker (passed on to him from his grandfather) and a U.S. Army veteran who served in WWII. He loved playing baseball until he was in his eighties.
He was preceded in death by parents Manuel and Adelaide (Andrade) Vidinha, wife Concepcion Vidinha, son Richard “Dickie” Vidinha and grandson Byron Vidinha.
He is survived by daughters Ida (John) Elliott, Colleen (Mike) Faye and Elisa (Rowland) Souza, sons Kurt Vidinha and Irvin (Ronnie) Vidinha, daughter-in-law Joyce Vidinha, 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. A private burial will be held.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Stephanie Jean Castillo
Teresita ‘Terri’ Castillo
Stephanie Jean Castillo, 74, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2023 in Hilo, Hawai‘i Island. Born in Honolulu, Kaua‘i was always in her heart. She was an award-winning journalist and independent filmmaker. She formerly worked for USA Today and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. She produced over 10 documentaries, receiving an Emmy for her film “Simple Courage: An Historical Portrait for the Age of Aids,” in 1992.
Teresita “Terri” Castillo, 71 passed away on Dec. 14, 2020, in New York. Born in Honolulu, Kaua‘i was always in her heart. She was a long-time editor for the Guidepost Devotional Magazine and NY Met and an up-and-coming creative sketch artist and writer who loved filmmaking. Her ashes will be scattered along with our sister Steff on May 28, 2023.
Stephanie and Teresita were preceded in death by parents Wallace and Norma (Vega) Castillo of Kapa‘a.
They are survived by siblings Zenaida (Richard) Sawyer of Hilo, Diane (Ivan) Ward of Elk Grove, California, Leslie (Garrett) Scales of Lawa‘i, Patricia (Clifford) Furtado of Kapa‘a, Joanne (Peter) Brun of Kea‘au, Hawai‘i and Ami (Jan) Vergara of Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life and pa‘ina will be held at Lydgate Park main pavilion in Wailua on Sunday, May 28. Visit with the family from 11:30 a.m. A celebration begins at noon. A scattering of ashes to follow. The celebration will also be livestreamed on Stephanie J. Castillo’s Facebook page.
Donations to the Stephanie J. Castillo Cinematic Arts Scholarship Fund at the University of Hawai‘i can be made to a well-deserved cinematic arts student pursuing film to at https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/13026704
Allan Guy Thompson
Allan Guy Thompson, a passionate and resilient man, passed away on May 15, 2023, at the age of 60 in Lihu‘e. After a valiant 12-month battle against metastatic cancer, he peacefully left this world at 9:59 p.m. at Wilcox Medical Center.
Born on April 12, 1963, on a military base at Fort Polk, Louisiana, he was the son of Billy Franklin Thompson Sr. and Joan Brewer Thompson. His father’s service in Vietnam took the family on various journeys. Allan grew up embracing the challenges and experiences that shaped his character.
Tennis was one of Allan’s lifelong passions, and he excelled in the sport. His skill and dedication led him to achieve a remarkable ranking of 5.0 or higher by U.S. Tennis Association ratings. From Ellison High School in Killeen, Texas, to graduating from The University of Texas at Arlington in December 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he exhibited his drive for excellence.
During his professional journey, he found both success and love. Joining Fidelity Investments in 1986, he formed a lasting friendship with Kevin Falk, who became his partner in life. Over 34 years, their bond evolved from work friends to a cherished life partnership. On April 8, 2014, while commemorating their 25th anniversary on Kaua‘i, they exchanged vows overlooking Hanalei Bay.
In 2017, Allan retired as a director of Real Estate Services from Fidelity Investments. Eager to embark on a new chapter, he and Kevin swiftly relocated to Kaua‘i, accompanied by their beloved dog, Yogi. Allan embraced life with an unwavering spirit, indulging in hiking, scuba diving, tennis, and being a supportive friend to many.
Throughout his cancer battle, he displayed incredible strength and determination. He fought with the best treatments available, including cutting-edge medications, gamma knife and radiation. His courage and resilience were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Allan is preceded in death by his mother, Joan Brewer Thompson, mother-in-law, Faye Falk, and his loyal companion, Yogi Dog.
He is survived by devoted husband of 34 years, Kevin Falk, residing in Lihu‘e, Allan’s father, Billy Thompson Sr., of Trumann, Arkansas, and his brother, Billy Thompson Jr., of Memphis, Tennessee, mourn his loss deeply. Additionally, his father-in-law, Ray Falk, of Georgetown, Texas, joins the countless others touched by Allan’s life.
He will be remembered for his warm heart, kindness and active engagement in life. As we honor his memory, let us cherish the moments shared with him and find solace in the legacy of love he leaves behind.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
