THE REV. WILLIAM MATTIMORE / 1926-2007
Priest spurred flock to get ‘active in the church’
The Rev. William Mattimore retired in December as pastor of St. George Catholic Church after 10 years with the Waimanalo parish and 55 years as a priest.
But parishioners were so fond of "Father Bill" that they did not want to say goodbye. On Aug. 26 they had a dedication ceremony to name the parish hall for him. They took turns on cell phone calls to share the festivities with him.
"He was kind of embarrassed but honored. He wasn't one who wanted to be in the limelight," said church secretary Eva Marie DeMotta. "We are glad we did it when we did."
Mattimore, 81, died Sept. 29 in Worcester, Mass. He had moved to live with family members in Shrewsbury, Mass., after health problems forced him to retire.
The priest spearheaded construction of the hall, tapping friends from his previous career as an Air Force chaplain to help the parish raise the $400,000 cost. He said in an August interview that space was needed for children's religious education classes.
"I said if the kids are going to understand who the Lord is, we have to have a decent place for them," he said.
"He was a wonderful priest, a mentor to me," said Pua Hofbauer, who had planned to visit Mattimore on a September trip. Instead, she and Carol-Louise Carper arrived after his death. They represented the Hawaii parish at the Oct. 3 funeral Mass in Shrewsbury.
"He had a way of getting people active in the church," said Hofbauer, who started in the parish by accompanying her mother to Mass. "I asked, 'Why don't we have an adult Bible study?' He said, 'Do it, I'll support you.' I have done it for four years now." She also became a lector and a member of the pastoral council and finance committee.
"My brother is mentally challenged. Other priests didn't think he could be confirmed. They didn't think he would get it. Father Bill said, 'With a little help and the Holy Spirit, he can do it.' He told me what to do to instruct him. When he was confirmed, it was my mom's happiest day," Hofbauer said.
Mattimore was an Air Force chaplain for 34 years, serving in Germany, Spain, South Korea, Thailand and mainland posts, and five years in Hawaii. After retiring in 1991 as a colonel, he was recruited by his seminary classmate, the late Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario. He served at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Roch Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Oahu for 15 years as a diocesan priest in Hawaii. He was given the honorific title of monsignor by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
He was born in Worcester and graduated from St. Charles Seminary in Catonsville, Md., and Grand Seminary in Montreal.
He is survived by brother Paul K. and sisters Mary T. Mattimore and Rita A. Withstandley, all of Shrewsbury.
Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva will preside at a memorial Mass at 7 p.m. next Friday at St. George Church, 41-1323 Kalanianaole Highway.
Friends may make memorial donations to the Mary Lou Scholarship Fund at the church. Mattimore established the fund using money left by a cousin. It provides partial tuition support for children to attend Catholic schools.
Kenneth Toshio Akahiji
Sept. 25, 2007
Kenneth Toshio Akahiji, 82, of Honolulu, a Toshiba salesman, died in St. Francis Hospice. He was born in Hawaii. He is survived by son Len Yokoyama, daughters Evelyn Kanekoa and Lee Balcita, sister Yoshiko Adaniya and three grandchildren. Private services.
Julian Garcia Apilada
Sept. 29, 2007
Julian Garcia Apilada, 101, of Wahiawa, a retired Honolulu Painting Co. painter, died in Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi. He was born in Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines. He is survived by sons Dennis Apilada and Harold and David Abellira; daughters Beatrice Alfonso and Katherine Swavely; caregiver/grandchild Gabriel; 26 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: 12:30 p.m. at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Flowers welcome.
Thomas M. Brummett
Oct. 6, 2007
Thomas M. Brummett, 79, of Kahuku, a retired termite inspector, died in Honolulu. He was born in Archer City, Texas. He is survived by wife Joan, daughter Debi Hartmann, sister Edwina Lawson, seven grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Inurnment: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Patricia Lee Cabalse
Oct. 4, 2007
Patricia Lee "Pat" Cabalse, 63, of Honolulu, a retired registered nurse, died in the Queen's Medical Center. She was born in Warren, Pa. She is survived by husband Ronald "Honey Boy," son Ryan "Haole Boy," daughter Rachelle "Honey Girl" and three grandchildren. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Philomena's Church, 3300 Ala Laulani St. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: 11 a.m. at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. Aloha attire.
Edward Teruo Enovejas
Oct. 8, 2007
Edward Teruo Enovejas, 64, of Hilo, a retired Federal Aviation Administration employee and Hawaii Air National Guard veteran, died at home. He was born in Pahala, Hawaii. He is survived by sons Dean and Randall, brother Arthur Delos Santos, sisters Sheila Flores-Enovejas and Diane Enovejas, and hanai brother Bradley Soria. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Casual attire.
Masao Hashizume
Sept. 22, 2007
Masao Hashizume, 91, of Honolulu, a retired mason, died in Maunalani Nursing Center. He was born in Lihue. He is survived by stepchildren Glenn and Russell Ashimine, and Della Miller; brothers Taichi and Shoichi; and sisters Fumie Takemoto, Lorriane Fujiwara and Ellen Matsuyama. Private services.
Carole Mae Sueko Heya
Oct. 9, 2007
Carole Mae Sueko Heya, 66, of Kaneohe, a Hosoi Garden Mortuary kitchen helper, died in Castle Medical Center. She was born in Makawao, Maui. She is survived by sons Lance, Sterling and Larson; daughters Sherri Seguirant and Lorene Berinobis; brother Jimmy Maeda; sister Merle Tokunaga; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire.
Tsuruye Higashi
Sept. 27, 2007
Tsuruye "Sue" Higashi, 87, of Wailuku died in Maui Memorial Medical Center. She was born in Wailuku. She is survived by son Stanley, brothers Jack M. and Thomas S. Hiraoka, and sisters Thelma T. Sasada and Grace M. Yoshioka. Private services.
Frederick Alfred Holmberg Sr.
Oct. 8, 2007
Frederick Alfred Holmberg Sr., also known as "Sonny" and "Fred," 81, of Kailua, a retired state highway maintenance supervisor, died in Kailua. He was born in Waipahu. He is survived by son Alfred "Holmberg" Kalani; daughters Bernadette "Bernie" Horde, Priscilla Correa and Carolyn Aveiro; sisters Kathrine Kaimiola, Alice Joseph and Beatrice Ames; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Mass: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 148-A Makawao St., Kailua. Call after 10:30 a.m. Burial: 1 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Aloha attire.
Ethel Mizue Honda
Oct. 2, 2007
Ethel Mizue Honda, 88, of Aiea, a homemaker, died at home. She was born in Kekaha, Kauai. She is survived by sons Glenn and Dan, daughters Karen Rodrigues and Susan Uehara, sisters Misao Horimoto and Janet Yamasaki, and three grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire.
Marian Tamiko Inouye
Oct. 5, 2007
Marian Tamiko Inouye, 85, of Honolulu, a retired Waialae Beauty Salon owner and operator, died in the Queen's Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by son Mark K.; daughters Kathleen K. Inouye-Anzai and Anne A. O'Grady; brothers Dr. Frank K., Jonathan T. and Timothy Y. Kajiwara; sisters Margaret M. Jodoi and Hannah T. Osaki; hanai brother Tokio Osaki; and two grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Tomi Kaneshiro
Oct. 4, 2007
Tomi Kaneshiro, 88, of Honolulu, a retired Zippy's Restaurant kitchen helper, died at home. She was born in Japan. She is survived by daughters Emiko Takara, Shizuko Kobashigawa, Yoko Fujimoto and Harumi Valenzuela; sister Haruko Shimabukuro; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Private services.
Thomas Lee Laury
Oct. 2, 2007
Thomas Lee Laury, 78, of Waialua, a Pearl Harbor Naval Base supply clerk, died in Hawaii Medical Center East. He was born in Savannah, Ga. He is survived by daughter Charlene Shannon, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Private services.
Joseph Lavilla Sr.
Sept. 29, 2007
Joseph Lavilla Sr., 77, of Ewa Beach, a retired U.S. Postal Services postal carrier, died. He was born in Keahua, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Shirley; sons Joseph Jr., Granger and David D.; daughters Debra Luce, Lois Soares and Lisa Lavilla; brother Daniel Sr.; sister Dolores Cerenio; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at Friendship Bible Church in Ewa Beach.
Dennis Lee Luga
Sept. 23, 2007
Dennis Lee Luga, 52, of Kohala, Hawaii, a Kona Village Resort cook in Kaupulehu, died in Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Kohala. He is survived by wife Carol; sons Shane and Ryan; daughters Denise and Krissy; hanai father Hilarion Jonolino; hanai daughters Tiare and Tiani; brothers Caldo Espero, Ben Respicio and Larry, Francis and Roland Luga; sisters Linda Soliven and Debra Mason; and seven grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at Sacred Hearts Catholic Church in Hawi. Call after 8 a.m.
Richard Eugene McDurmin
Oct. 4, 2007
Richard Eugene McDurmin, 76, of Honolulu, a state Department of Human Services chief investigator and U.S. Army veteran who served in the Korean War, died at home. He was born in Tennessee. He is survived by wife Maureen, sons Richard E. Jr. and Robert, daughters Kaiulani "Kai" and Kealoha Mikles, sister JoAnn Upton, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services: 6:30 p.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. Inurnment: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl.
Susumu Nekoishi
Sept. 16, 2007
Susumu Nekoishi, 80, of Waialua, a retired Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard employee, died in the Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Kawailoa. He is survived by brother Bertram and sisters Gladys Matsumoto, Kazuko Nekoishi, Lillian Hayashi and Pearl Amioka. Private services.
Harriet Michiko Okino
Oct. 10, 2007
Harriet Michiko Okino, 81, of Hilo, a retired Waiakea Intermediate School teacher, died in Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Hilo. She is survived by husband John, son Wayne and a grandchild. Services: 4 p.m. Sunday at Church of the Holy Cross. Call after 3 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
John Rosario III
Sept. 18, 2007
John Rosario III, 60, of Waianae, a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class and Waste Management employee, died at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Jo Ann N.K.; children Tony Rosa and Keoni IV, Keola, Kaimi, Kapono, Kanoilani and Kawena Rosario; parents John "Blackie" and Rose Jr.; brothers and sisters Mercedes Maka, Isabella Kekahuna, Diana Uptergrove, Antonette Galarza, and Leroy, Rose and Glenn Rosario; 21 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 9 a.m. Dress-to-impress attire. Flowers welcome.
Mary Galarza Smith
Oct. 2, 2007
Mary Galarza Smith, 85, of Honolulu died in the Convalescent Center of Honolulu. She was born in Kalopa, Hawaii. She is survived by sons Thomas and Bill; daughters Clara J. Placido, Mary Ann Hall and Myrtle Kesler; brother John Galarza; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services: 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: noon at Valley of the Temples.
Mildred Yoshiko Tamashiro
Sept. 29, 2007
Mildred Yoshiko Tamashiro, 88, of Honolulu died. She was born in Luluku, Kaneohe. She is survived by husband Raymond; sons John and David; brothers Larry, Jerry and Thomas Azama; sisters Katherine Heshiki, Elaine Shimabuku, Hazel Nakama and Nancy Takata; and three grandchildren. Private services.
Henry Uichi Tamura
Sept. 30, 2007
Henry Uichi Tamura, 75, of Kapaa, Hawaii, a farmer and retired floor sanding contractor, died in the Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Shirley S.; son Amos; daughters Julie Groves and Kathy and Denise Tamura; brothers Misao, Alan, Toshisada and Richard; and six grandchildren. Services to be held at a later date on Kauai. No flowers.
Clara Lum Young
Sept. 27, 2007
Clara Lum Young, 92, of Honolulu, a retired Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard U.S. government accountant, died in Kaiser Medical Center. She was born in Kahului. Private services.
You can also search the Hawaii State Library System's Hawaii Newspaper Index online for older obituaries at
www.librarieshawaii.org. The index goes back several decades.