Obituaries

Monday, March 1, 1999

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Joseph Lee served in
two World Wars

By Harold Morse

Star-Bulletin

The death of Joseph K. Lee, 102, apparently leaves nine surviving World War I veterans in the state.

Lee leaves Russell W. Voorhees, 102, with American Legion Kau Tom Unit No. 11, which also was Lee's affiliate, and William Frank Steer, 98, and Leoncio Balan, 100, both with the American Legion Wahiawa post, among the last vets.

Gabriel Perez, associate director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Honolulu, said they are the three surviving veterans on Oahu. There are as many as six more on the other islands, he said.

Lee, a veteran of World Wars I and II, died Wednesday in the Veterans Affairs Center for Aging at Tripler Hospital.

“He was a pretty active guy for 102,” said Solomon M.L. Kam, second vice commander, Kau Tom Unit.

Bernard Lee, adjutant, American Legion Department of Hawaii, thinks the number of World War I surviving veterans had dwindled to about five statewide by 1994, when Lee and two other World War I vets, all Kau Tom members, were honored by that unit.

Lee, a world traveler, joined the Army in 1918 when he was 21. Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, Lee -- a National Guardsman -- went back on active duty as a mess sergeant.

He was a member of the Hawaii National Guard for 20 years, then also served on Guadalcanal.

After the wars, he worked more than 30 years as an accountant with Chun Chong Fruit and Vegetable Co.

Lee belonged to the Ket On Society, Chee Kung Tong Society, Golden Age Club and the Ala Wai Bridge Club. An avid player, he taught bridge until he turned 90. He taught ballroom dancing until he was 70.

A Honolulu native, he attended Kauluwela School, Royal School and McKinley High School.

He is survived by son Benjamin; daughters Adele Kaplan, Carmel Lee Kama and Dorothea Char; stepsons Edwin and Reynold Leong; stepdaughters Rena Leong Lee Seu, Edna Wong and Iris Chang Ono; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; and 11 step-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Domingo B. Agustin, 55, of Kahului died Thursday at home. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Concepcion J.; son Kyle; daughters Cynthia and Karen; mother Cecilia B.; brother Wilfred; and sister Virginia Agcolicol. Services: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Norman's Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday at Christ the King Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Maui Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Dolores R. Dwyer, 76, of Makakilo died Feb. 21. She was born in Oakland, Calif. She is survived by daughters Yvonne Dwyer-Van Vlack, Sharon Dwyer-Weiser and Linda Rea-Leschot; brothers Arthur and Stanley Funston; sisters Marion Dallmann, Claire Fox and Noreen Duquette; two grandsons; and a great-grandson. Private services. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to American Cancer Society.

Guillermo Galano, 89, of Kalaheo, Kauai, a retired mason with Russ Gallo Contractor, died Feb. 20 in Kauai Care Center. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by stepsons Eizo, Harry and George Nohara and Mitsuo Nakasone; stepdaughters Nancy Kalanui and Marie Ishibashi; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Private services.

Frank F. Heather, 32, of Honolulu, a barge master at Sause Brothers Tug and Ocean Tow, died Feb. 15. He is survived by wife Natalie; son Koloa Tamatoa; parents Frank Fuifatu and Mona M. Heather; brother Kirk; and sisters Annette Leao, Pearl Spencer and Janet Heather. Services held.

Katsumi Hirabara, 74, of Wahiawa, a retired sales manager for Singer Sewing Machine Co., died Feb. 19 at home. He was born in Ookala, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Kayoko; daughters Kay Lyons and Elaine Hirabara; sister Helen Sakaguchi; and four grandchildren. Services: 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Itsuko “Irene” Ito, 72, of Keaau, Hawaii, a retired florist for Orchids of Hawaii, will be remembered in private services. Ito was killed Feb. 16 at home. She was born in Olaa, Hawaii. She is survived by sons Elroy K. and Reynold I.; sisters Amy Iseri and Mae Griffith; and five grandchildren. Donations suggested to Itsuko Ito c/o Crimestoppers Hilo Inc., P.O. Box 801, Hilo 96720.

Virginia M. Lee, 82, of Honolulu, a retired manager for Leahi Hospital Federal Credit Union, died Feb. 14. She was born in New York. She is survived by husband Richard; daughter Anne “Penny” Ennor; son Richard Currie Lee II; sister Marie M. Verron; and four grandchildren. Services: 3 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Nativity Church. Aloha attire.

Bruce S. MacBride, 81, of Honolulu, a retired captain with Hawaiian Airlines, died Feb. 20 in Queen's Hospital. He was also a retired U.S. Navy commander. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He is survived by wife Helen; and sons Steven and Michael. Services: 5 p.m. Thursday at Waiokeola Congregational Church. Call after 4:30 p.m. Burial: 10:30 a.m. Friday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire. In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to Waioke-ola Congregational Church.

Robert K. Matsuoka, 82, of Honolulu, a retired machinist for Schlitz Brewery, died Feb. 19 in Kaiser Hospital. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Grace H.; son Raphael S.; sisters Dayne Saiki and Ann Sahara; brother James; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Private services.

Benjamin S. Miller, 43, of Waikoloa, Hawaii, a master carpenter, died Feb. 22 in Hilo Hospital. He was born in Austin, Texas. He is survived by son Benjamin John; daughter Kristen Kay; and mother Tommie Beckham. Private services in Hawaii, and services on the mainland.

Takeichi Shintaku, 80, of Honolulu, retired owner of Varsity Electrical Service, died Feb. 1 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by daughter Jane M.; and brothers Shizuo, Mitsuo and Tamotsu. Private services.