JAMES MONIZ SR. / 1916-2003
Champion bicyclist always
found joy in his sport
James Moniz Sr., a champion bicyclist, continued to ride around Waipahu in his later years, said his daughter, Anna Kaneshiro.
"It was his joy," Kaneshiro said. "We are always so proud of him because he was such a champion."
Moniz died Sunday at St. Francis Hospice-West. He was 86.
He was born in Honolulu on Sept. 24, 1916, and raised in Waipahu. When he was 18, Moniz won the first race among 31 riders sponsored by the Waipahu Pedal Pushers.
In 1936 he won a 106.7-mile bike race around Oahu at a record of five hours, 15 minutes and 55 seconds.
Moniz became a charter member of the Waipahu Legend of Sports for excelling in bicycling.
"He was a very humble man," Kaneshiro said. "He would always find joy in reminiscing about it."
Moniz is survived by his three children, James Jr., Kaneshiro and Denise Carlos; brothers Raymond and Valentine; sisters Madeline Guerrero and Eva Jean Fern; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be held tomorrow at 8:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 94-675 Farrington Highway in Waipahu. Burial will take place at the Mililani Memorial Park at 10 a.m. No flowers.