Obituaries

Saturday, March 13, 1999

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William Thaanum, 89, organist
and choir leader

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

William B. Thaanum, 89, of Honolulu, a choir director and organist for more than 20 years at St. Andrew's Cathedral, died last Saturday.

“He was a first-rate organist,” said the Rev. Kenneth Perkins, now retired, a former assistant minister at St. Andrew's.

Congregations also admired his choir direction, Perkins added. “He got high marks.”

Perkins recalled Thaanum as a dedicated person who lived a quiet but busy life. “We used to have a lot more weddings than they have now,” Perkins said.

Born in Hilo, Thaanum worked briefly in similar capacities at churches in Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and other churches in Honolulu.

He became a member of the Punahou School music faculty before World War II, teaching organ and piano.

He also lectured on music at the University of Hawaii. He came to appear regularly in recital as organ soloist and as part of piano ensembles at Punahou and the Academy of Arts.

One critic said a Thaanum organ recital had interesting variety:

“There was dash in the Bach ‘Concerto' and ecstatic joy in ‘Christians Rejoice.' There was fervor in the Rossi ‘Ave Maria,' poetic impressionism in the Karg-Elert ‘Legend of the Mountain' and a quiet charm in the Bonnet ‘Romance.'

“Thaanum's playing showed a good musicianship, an able technique and the ability to play interesting music on a difficult instrument.”

While at St. Andrew's, Thaanum directed the choir in performing major religious cantatas, including “The Messiah,” “Elijah,” “The Crucifixion” and “The Redeemer.” He also directed joint efforts with choirs from more than one Episcopal church.

A graduate of McKinley High School, he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii and a master's in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary. He also attended the Curtis Institute for Music on a scholarship.

He is survived by a cousin, Virginia Merritt.

Private services.

Lydia N. Ayala,63, of Honolulu died Thursday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Pangasinan, the Philippines, she is survived by sons Edward, Jose Jr., Richard and Edmund; daughters Aida Limuaco, Elsie Takenaka, Norma Bonifacio and Nena Pentecostes; brothers Francisco Jr. and Villamor Naboa; sisters Pacita Notario and Elizabeth Agtarap; and eight grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Monday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Burial in the Philippines at a later date. Casual attire.

Timothy A. Canha,46, of Honolulu, a movie production driver and mechanic, died Thursday. Born in Puunene, Maui, he is survived by brother Conrad. Services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ordenstein's Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. Cremation to follow. Private scattering of ashes. Casual attire.

Stephen L. Desha III,76, of Honolulu, a retired investigator with the city Liquor Commission, died March 4 in Straub Hospital. He was also a retired sergeant first class for the U.S. Army. Born in Hilo, he is survived by wife Rose H., son William E., daughter Mary-Lynn K. Desha-Kam, brother John R. II, sister Mary K. Namahoe and three grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Inurnment: 1 p.m. Tuesday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire. No flowers.

Benjamin Franklin Dillingham II,82, a business and civic leader, will be remembered in memorial services 10:30 a.m. next Saturday at St. Andrew's Cathedral. No flowers. Donations suggested to American Kidney Foundation or the Benjamin Dillingham Chair in History and Political Science at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Kamuela, Waimea, Hawaii. Additional information for an obituary published Oct. 21 provided by the family.

James M. “Gym” Follo,60, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, a self-employed yard maintenanceman, died Tuesday in Keauhou Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Born in Kalamazoo, Mich., he is survived by father Marvin F., brother David B. and sister Sharon M. Robbins. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Alii Drive. Scattering of ashes at sea. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to American Cancer Society.

Dorothea K. Hew Len,81, of Honolulu died Monday in Oahu Care Facility. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by children Robert III and William, Dorothea Bacon and Piilani Smith; sisters Augusta Almeida and Leona Mochizuki; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: noon Thursday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Wilbert “Sandy” Holck,73, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Honolulu, will be remembered in services 12:15 p.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 11 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire. He is survived by daughter Cheri Holck and stepdaughters Shelly and Reyna. Incorrect information for an obituary published Tuesday provided by the family.

Helen O.L. Hom,50, of Honolulu died Wednesday at home. Born in Shanghai, China, she is survived by husband James; daughter Vivian; brothers C.Y., Francis, Frank and William Fung; sisters Josephine Aromin and Amy Fung; and a grandson. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Nolan I. Kuwada,38, of Honolulu died Sunday in Wahiawa General Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by son Brandon I., mother Doris H., brother Darryl and sisters Aileen Kuwada and Susan Fasone. Services: 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire.

Cayetana C. Leones,78, of Kunia died March 5 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, she is survived by sons Amado and Catalino; daughters Pacita Osorio, Josefina Cambe, Susana Montero, Juana Leones, Letecia Hashimoto and Francisca Fontanilla; 30 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Mass: 7 p.m. Monday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 1403 California Ave. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Burial in the Philippines at a later date. Casual attire.

Lai C. Leong,86, of Honolulu died last Saturday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Say Wong and Hung Kai; daughters Sui Ying Goo, Sui Ngo and Sui Mui Wong, Mei Woon Chan and Mei Mei Liang; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Services: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Cremation to follow.

Harris K. Matsumura,61, of Pearl City, retired owner and manager of No Ka Oi Floral, died last Saturday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Hilo, he is survived by wife Harriet F., son Ray R., daughters Jody L. Miyamoto and Susan A. Matsumura, mother Fusako “Bernice,” sister Jean E. Maeda and three grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary- Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Casual attire. ip

ue8 The Rev. Edward J. McMonagle,80, of Honolulu, minister at St. Theresa's, Star of the Sea, Holy Cross and St. Catherine's churches, died Thursday. He was born in Philadelphia. Mass: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Star of the Sea Church. Call after 9:30 a.m. Mass: 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Catherine's Church in Kapaa, Kauai. Call after 3 p.m. Burial on the mainland. No flowers. Donations suggested to Marist Seminary Education Fund c/o Star of the Sea Church, 4470 Aliikoa St., Honolulu 96821 or St. Catherine's Adopt-a-Student Fund.

Roseanna G.C. Morgan and Leah F.G. Caday,both of Sanford, Fla. will be remembered in services at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday at Ordenstein's Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Morgan, 29, and Caday, 13, a former student at Makaha Elementary School, were shot to death March 5 in Sanford, Fla. They are survived by husband and father James; son and brother James Jr.; daughter and sister Ardelich C. Bega; parents and grandparents Romulo and Remedios Caday; grandparents and great-grandparents Emilio and Felicidad Caday; brothers and uncles Romel, Charles and Leo Caday; sister and aunt Christine Caday, and Leah's grandmother Lois Kelly.

Larry I. Nakasone,70, of Pearl City, an agent and director for Atlas Insurance Agency and Security Life and Accident Co., died March 3 in Queen's Hospital. Born in Lahaina, he is survived by wife Elsie T.; sons Lance H. and Layne S.; daughters Lynn Y. Onaga and Dayle K. Christian; brothers Allen S., Glenn H., Minoru and Ben; sister Doris Y. Kovack, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Margaret J. Neal,83, of Honolulu, a retired secretary, died Feb. 27 in Arcadia. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she is survived by son J.J. Feurer; brothers Ray mond Lynch and James Redmond, and two grandchildren. No services. Donations suggested to Punahou School.

George K. Nushida,75, of Kaneohe, a retired repairman for the GTE Hawaiian Tel, died Tuesday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Kiyoko; son Gary; daughter Diane Nushida-Tokuno; brother Richard; sisters Sarah Matsumoto, Gladys Kawasaki and Ivy Shimotsu, and two granddaughters. Services: 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Burial: 11 a.m. next Friday, March 19, at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.

Fusao “James” Okada,88, of Waianae, retired from Capital Investment Co., died March 3 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Waianae, he is survived by wife Kikue and sister Stella Tanimoto. Private services.

Elsie H. Oshiro,84, of Honolulu, a retired printshop supervisor at the city Office of Information and Complaint, died March 5 in St. Francis Hospice. Born in North Kohala, Hawaii, she is survived by husband Shigeru; sons Michael and Patrick; sister Irene Chena, and four grandchildren. Private services.

Paul E. Payne,formerly of Hawaii, a captain in the U.S. Navy, died Feb. 21 in San Antonio, Texas. He also worked for Hawaiian Insurance following his retirement from the Navy in 1973. Born in Illinois, he is survived by wife Jeannine H.; daughters Catherine and Melinda; brother Harold; sister Laura Wilke; stepsons Robin, Robert and Richard Moore; stepdaughters Lezlie Gravens and Melanie Shepherd, and stepgrandchildren. Services held.

Francisco O. Peru,74, of Kilauea, Kauai, a field irrigator for Lihue Plantation, died Thursday at home. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by wife Marcelina; daughters Nadine Robinson and Cookie Peru; sons Cisco, Keny Boy, Leslie, Mark, Mike, Mel-Francis and Michael Peru and Tim Asuncion; hanai daughter Hue Regidor; brothers Jose, Toribio and Maximeno; and six grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Sylvester's Catholic Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Kilauea Cemetery. Casual attire.

Donald A. “Scotty” Prescott,62, of Camas, Wash., who retired from United Airlines, died Feb. 26 in Portland, Ore. He also spent 10 years with the U.S. Air Force. Born in Kealia, Kauai, he is survived by mother Ethel M.; wife Sandra P.; sons Donham A. and Capt. Ellis Prescott, and two grandchildren. Services held. Donations suggested to OHSU Foundation, Hepatology Education, 1121 SW Salmon No. 200, Portland, OR 97205-2021.

Torao Sakamoto,82, of Kona, Hawaii, a retired carpenter with Ideal Builders, Contractors Hawaii, died Tuesday in Keauhou Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by sons George, Wayne and Stanley; daughter Sue Tokuuke; brother Charles; sister Sueme Funai; and six grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Tuesday at Kona Hongwanji Mission in Kealakekua, Kona. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Delphine S. Santos,85, of Oxnard, Calif. died Monday in Oxnard. Born in Eleele, Kauai, she is survived by daughters Dolores Redmond, Patricia Drumm and Annette Owens; brother George Souza; sister Gloria Kaohi; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services on the mainland.

Sadame “Syd” Sato,65, of Pearl City, a retired licensed practical nurse, died Tuesday in Pearl City. Born in Hilo, she is survived by husband Yoshimichi; sons Scott, Michael and Clark; daughter Cindy Nakayama; sisters Miyako Ota and Sue Nakamura, and five grandchildren. Services: 6:30 p.m. Monday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. Inurnment: 10 a.m. Tuesday at the park. Casual attire.

Esther L.M. Smith,79, of Honolulu, a personnel officer and equal employment officer for the University of Hawaii, died last Saturday. Born in San Diego, she is survived by son Ronald Q.; daughters Patricia McDole, Barbara Smith and Christine Patton; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Private services.

Ying Sz-To Taam, also known as Cheuk-Woon Taam,96, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Palolo Chinese Home. Born in Hoy Ping, China, she is survived by daughters Susan K.S. Jong and Winnie W.S. Lee; sister Choy Ying Le, 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Katsuto Uyeno,80, of Waipahu died Feb. 28 in Maluhia Long Term Care and Health Center. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by brothers James T., William Y. and Thomas T. Uyeno and Kenneth S. Okita, and sisters Doris M. Igarashi, Sister Mary V. Uyeno, Jean M. Murakawa and Nora M. Ginoza. Private services. Inurnment held.

Betty C.D. Williams,71, of Oakland, Calif. and formerly of Kailua, former employee of Kaneohe Naval Base at Pearl Harbor and Tripler Army Hospital, died Feb. 11. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughters Claire L. and Noenoe K. Silva; son Jerome K. Robarts; mother Kathleen Jay Decker; sisters Georgette Decker, Dorynne Ringler, Lovita Alsbury and Iwalani Halm; brothers Theodore and Thomas Decker; and a granddaughter. Services: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Kailua Beach Park.