Obituaries

Tuesday, September 15, 1998

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Don Weller, 52,
wrote about music,
was teacher at UH

By Stan Constantino, Star-Bulletin

Businessman Don Weller was a music lover and writer known for his humor and generosity.

Evelyn Phinney, who worked for Weller, said she found him dead at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at home. An autopsy is being done.

He was 52.

Weller, born in Philadelphia, came to Hawaii on a fraternity dare.

For 18 years, he taught different disciplines at the University of Hawaii: English, communications and political science. He was Hawaii's correspondent to Billboard magazine and wrote music reviews for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Elizabeth Kunimoto, former chairwoman for the University of Hawaii communications department, remembers Weller as “very interactive and very entertaining.”

Kunimoto, who worked with Weller at UH in the 1970s, said: “He could do a lecture with very little preparation. He had a fantastic smile and was very joyful; he exuded enthusiasm.”

In the 1980s, Weller established AudioTech and Soundscape Designs -- a business that installs background music/audio equipment for business offices.

“He was absolutely as loyal a friend you could possibly have,” said longtime friend Ron Jacobs. “As a person, if he knew you, he was absolutely caring and giving.”

Jacobs, a morning radio announcer for KCCN-AM, said Weller was not only a good friend to him but like an uncle to his daughter.

“The first thing he gave her before she could talk was a turkey, and the first thing they would say to one another when they saw each another was, ‘gobble, gobble.' ”

Even as Jacobs' daughter became a teen-ager, he said, she would go running into his house and say ‘gobble.'

Weller's physician, Dr. Barry Odegaard, said:

“I'll never forget: I was observing his knee surgery and while (Weller) was being sedated, before he went under he said, ‘Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.' Everyone laughed.”

With all Weller's humor, there was a more serious side to him, friend say. To Phinney and Asher Okata, it was Weller's direction and guidance that led them to what they have accomplished and what they are now.

“He basically kept me going in terms of what I do now. He introduced me to people -- contacts for my field in communications,” said Okata, an engineer with McHale Videofilm. “Anything you wanted that was within his power, he would help you out.”

Phinney is also grateful for Weller's guidance.

“He gave me an opportunity at a time of my life when no one would,” said Phinney. “I was fresh out of college and he gave me the opportunity to run his business, an opportunity to be more than a clerk.”

Phinney said memorial services will be held in early October. Weller's remains will be transported to Philadelphia.

Those interested in attending memorial services can contact Phinney at 488-6227.

Masato Agawa, 79, of Maui died yesterday. He is survived by brother Isao and sister Asayo Hayashida. Services over ashes: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Lahaina Hongwanji Mission.

James L. Ah Mau, 70, of Waimanalo, a retired clerk for the federal government, died Tuesday. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by brother-in-law and care-giver Franklin Baker. Graveside services: 2 p.m. tomorrow at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.

Etta L. Akau, 78, of Waianae died Saturday in Leeward Integrated Health Services. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband James; sons Gordon and Wesley; daughters Beatrice Hew Len and Geraldine Lum; sisters Helen Hiu and Lily Tom; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 7 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Leona S. Ambrosio, 74, of Flower Mound, Texas, who worked for Kaiser Permanente for 27 years, died Friday in Texas. Born in Tarlac, the Philippines, she is survived by daughters Marilyn Calley and Olivia Ladesma; brothers Braulio and Thomas Salamanca; and three grandchildren. Mass: 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at Our Lady of the Mount Church, 1614 Monte St. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Dorothea B. Arriba, 94, of Honolulu died Wednesday in Honolulu. Born in Cebu City, the Philippines, she is survived by sons Januarius, Ernie and Arthuro; daughters Annybel Medina and Cecilia Tanudtanud; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Services: 11:15 a.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Lorraine Au Calizar, 76, of Honolulu died Friday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Joseph Jr., Patrick and George; brothers Raymond, Clarence and Clifford Au; sisters Annie Chang, Lillian Leong and Ellen Wong; and eight grandchildren. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Ann's Church in Kaneohe. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Aloha attire.

Robinson L. Baniqued, 64, of Honolulu died Friday at home. Born in Wailu ku, he is survived by wife Lolita; sons Robert, Edward, Robinson Jr. and James; daughters Gloria Rimando and Marelita Mateo; brother Benjamin; and 11 grandchildren. Mass: 6 p.m. Friday at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral. Call from 5 to 9 p.m. Call again from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Saturday at the cathedral. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.

Ricarda F. Boiser, 91, of Ewa Beach died Sept. 6 in Tripler Hospital. Born in Cebu, the Philippines, she is survived by sons Fabian, Antonio and James Palicte; daughter Caridad “Carrie” Florentin; hanai daughter Deogracia Florentin; 23 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. Mass: 7 p.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Church, 91-1298 Renton Road in Ewa Beach. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: noon Friday at Immaculate Conception Church. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire.

Richard K. Callahan, 32, of Honolulu died Sept. 3 in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by son Justin; daughters Renee, Shawna, Ashley, Amber, Nicole and Brandi; parents Robert Jr. and Mary; brothers Brian, Robert and Nai; sisters Cheryl and Corinna; and grandparents Solomon and Helen Lono and Mary Taba. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.

Gene C. Cambe, 87, of Honolulu is survived by 20 grandchildren. Incorrect information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.

Angeline M. Fraticelli, 95, of Kaneohe died Wednesday in Kaneohe. Born in Koloa, Kauai, she is survived by sons Frank and Phillip Beauchan and Larry Fraticelli; daughters Emily Beauchamp, Edith Valentine and Felicia Rodrigues; brother George; sisters Minnie Helanii, Alice Fraticelli and Ramona Mercado; 31 grandchildren; 83 great-grandchildren; 76 great-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-great-granddaughter. Services: noon Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Tsugio Fujioka, 77, of Lihue, a retired machine operator with McCabe, Hamilton and Renny, died Sept. 1 at home. Born in Lihue, he is survived by wife Shizue; son Wayne; sisters Misayo Omoto, Fumiko Ozaki, Lily Nakamoto and Patsy Asaoka; and a granddaughter. Private services.

Wilma P. Gaspar, 61, of Kapolei, a retired collections officer from Bank of Hawaii, died Sept. 7 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Cagayan, the Philippines, she is survived by husband Phil S., sons Gary P. and David P., mother Paciencia C. Pallingayan, brothers Loid C. and Mel C. Pallingayan, sister Rema C. Armamento and granddaughter Mikayla A. Wake services: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Naval Station Chapel, 850 Ticonderoga St., Pearl Harbor. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Opal M. Hansen, 89, of Kona, Hawaii, a retired registered nurse, died Aug. 20 in Kona Community Hospital. Born in Salem, Ore., she is survived by daughter Patricia Ann and two grandchildren. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Sunday at Pebble Beach, Kona Paradise, Hawaii. Donations suggested to American Lung Association, 74-5588 P-Pawai Place, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740.

Mary A. Hayes, 88, of Tacoma, Wash., formerly of Honolulu, died Tuesday in Tacoma. Born in Seattle, she is survived by daughter Sandra, son Richard, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. No services.

Takiko Kawasaki, 89, of Hilo died Sunday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Kona, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Harold and Roger; daughters Yukie Fujinaga, Suzuyo Nakamura and Miyako Pierson; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Thursday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Sing Hoon Lee, 64, of Honolulu, a retired master taylor with Liberty House, died Sept. 6 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Chung Shan, China, he is survived by wife Pui Chan, daughters Diana and Lor na and brother Mun Sing. Chinese Taoist services: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Evin M. Lim, 20, of Honolulu, an employee at the Outrigger Hotel's Shorebird Restaurant, died Thursday in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by parents John and Bridget and brothers John Jr. and Royden. Services at a later date in Kona, Hawaii.

Wilma R. Lindsey, 59, of Kamuela, Hawaii, a retired pantry worker for Mauna Lani Resorts, died Sept. 7 in Kaiser Foundation Hospital. Born in Kapaau, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Eric and Paul; daughters Paula Dizol and Betsy Lindsey; brothers William and Timothy Feliciano; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Waimea. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: St. James Episcopal Church. Casual attire.

Beatrice V. McKenzie, 86, of Pearl City died Sept. 5 in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Kohala, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Hugh Jr., Leonard M., Ronald N. and Franklin M.; daughters Helen G. Potts and Patricia A. Ornellas; 19 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 1525 Waimano Home Road in Pearl City. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire.

Hiroshi “Windy” Nanbu, 72, of Lihue died Saturday in Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Born in Lihue, he is survived by brothers Isami, Takeshi, Kiyoshi and Minoru. Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. Call after 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.

Joseph R. Sedeno, 74, of Ewa Beach, a retired heavy equipment operator at Schofield Barracks, died Sept. 3 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Makawao, Maui, he is survived by wife Mary F.; sons Johnny Boy, Peter F. and Anthony “Doko;” daughters Kathleen M. Sedeno and Joanne J. Rodrigues; brothers Leandro and Tommy; sisters Marriana Sedeno, Emma Rosa and Beatrice Souza; 16 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. Casual attire.

Bencis Sencio, 98, of Hilo, a retired laborer, died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by sons Bill, Joseph, Pat and Nito Sibayton; daughters Vicenta S. Mindanao and Connie S. Bonga; sister Maria S. Carmen; 26 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. Eucharistic services: 12:15 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Call from 10 a.m. to noon. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Aloha attire. Flowers welcome.

Richard R. Yokoyama, 83, of Hilo, a retired road inspector for the County of Hawaii, died yesterday in Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. Born in Kohala, Hawaii, he is survived by daughters Patricia Takahashi and Frances and Jan Yokoyama; sisters Matsuno Matsumoto and Yoshiko Shimada; a grandchild; and two great-grandchildren. Services over ashes: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.