Former director of
By Harold Morse
Waikiki Aquarium dies
Star-BulletinSpencer W. Tinker, former director of the Waikiki Aquarium and zoologist, teacher and writer, died yesterday in Maunalani Nursing Center. He was 90.
That he had a fish named for him symbolizes his impact in marine research.
"The Tinker's butterfly fish was named in his honor," said Bruce Carlson, present Waikiki Aquarium director. "It's a very strikingly beautiful butterfly fish and highly valued. It's found here in the Hawaiian Islands, but it's found in other Pacific Islands too, but only in deep water.
"An era has passed," Carlson said. "It's very interesting that the aquarium has just celebrated its 95th anniversary, and Spencer Tinker was the director a good third of that period. He was real instrumental in building the present Waikiki Aquarium."
The aquarium was constructed in 1954 and opened in 1955. Before that, Tinker had been director of the old aquarium that opened in 1904, also in Kapiolani Park, Carlson said.
Born in Anamoose, N.D., Tinker graduated from the University of Washington in 1931 and came to the University of Hawaii in 1932 as a teaching fellow in the zoology department. In 1934 he received a master's in zoology and remained at UH, serving as an instructor for one year in zoology and five years in education.
He became director of the Waikiki Aquarium in 1940, later serving in the Army quartermaster corps from 1941 to 1946, rising to the rank of captain.
An author, his works included "Animals of Hawaii," 1938 and 1941 editions; "Stories of Hawaiian Animals for Boys and Girls," 1940; "Hawaiian Fishes," 1944; "Pacific Sea Shells," 1952 and 1958 editions; "Pacific Crustacea," 1965; "Sharks and Rays of Hawaii," 1972; "Fishes of Hawaii," 1978 - the definitive work on Hawaii fish species; and "Whales of the World," 1988.
He is survived by his wife, Gwen; son, George; and two grandchildren.
Roxanne K. "Roxy" Adams: 45, of Mountain View, Hawaii, died Sunday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Herman "Pancho" Kuanoni Jr. and Eugene Costa; daughters Ginamay Cardines, Athena Kuanoni, Destry-Ann and Crystal Costa and Ashley Soaladoab; companion Donald Pacheco; brothers Adam Quintal, Franklin Enos and Julius Adams Jr.; sisters Tammy Enos, Charmaine Cline, Dutchess and Elizabeth Quintal and Aloha Campbell; and five grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Alae Cemetery. Casual attire. Robert A. Apostol: 43, of Honolulu died Monday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by mother Susanna P.; and sisters and brothers Linda Broussard, Kenneth H. Jr. and Dennis K. Apostol and Debra S. Shin. Mass: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Elaine K. Bridges: 89, of Kaneohe and Honolulu died April 2 in Ann Pearl Care Home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons George A. and G. Randolph; daughters Mary Ellen Aana, Elaine Colburn and Irene Park; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. Services: 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Fredeswinda "Sonny" Cuizon: 65, of Honolulu, a retired upholster supervisor with Rattan Art Gallery, died last Saturday in Honolulu. Born in Waimea, Kauai, he is survived bysons Christian "Brahdah" and Christopher "K-Boy;" daughters Vanessa Lauama, Erika Supapo and Heidi Patu; brother Joseph Estrera; sisters Philomena Cuizon and Jackie Reynolds; and 12 grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
Mary B. DeAsis: 79, of Aiea died Monday at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Roger and Rudy; daughters Freida Duffey, Diana Jorgensen, Fritzi Elek, Angelita Walsh, Bernadette Staples and Fredericka DeAsis; sister Josephine Bungat; 16 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Burial: 11:30 a.m. Thursday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire. No flowers.
Gerald W. Dela Cruz: 51, of Lihue, director of economic development with the County of Kauai, died Thursday in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Waimea, Kauai, he is survived by wife Vicki; sons Jerry and Jamie; daughter Jancie; father Fred; brothers Donald, Stanley and Ernest; and sister Roberta Agena. Mass: 4 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kalaheo. Call after 2 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Alexander G. "Alec" Gomes: 81, of Kaneohe died Sunday in Kailua. Born in Hakalau, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Josephine, daughters Sylvia DeLima and Genevieve Friel Jr., sister Elanor Raynor, brother Elroy J., five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.
Nelson K.H. Kan: 61, of Waianae died Wednesday at home. Born in China, he is survived by wife Linda; daughters Sau Men, Cynthia S.Y. and Sau Yee; mother Seet Fei; brothers Raymond and Franklin Kan and Thomas Leong; sisters Park Won, King Hunh Lee and Julia Chung. Services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.
Ruperto S. Mike Lamadora: 65, of Kahuku died Sunday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Paia, Maui, he is survived by wife Eleanor "Landeza;" daughter Regina Abad-Lamadora; sons Craig Lamadora and Michael, Herman and Leonard Garaganza; sister Dora Van-Hyfte; and nine grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 5:30 p.m. Private scattering of ashes. Casual attire.
Sueki Maeda: 92, of Aiea will be remembered in private services. He was born in Honolulu. Incorrect information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.
Cipriano B. Manuel: 79, of Kailua, a retired fishing net maker, died March 26 in Castle Hospital. Born in Bayambang Pangasinan, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Precilla; sons Cipriano Jr., John, Richard, Anthony, Brian, Raymond, Glenn and Clyde; daughters Susan Ito, Maryline Boaste, Esperanza Yamamoto and Valentina, Jean and Joy Manuel; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 6-9 p.m. Mass: 10:30 a.m. next Saturday, St. Anthony's Church in Kailua. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Alice I. May: 89, of Ewa Beach died April 1 in Hale Nani Rehabilitation Center. Born in Hawi, Hawaii, she is survived by sister Martha Montgomery. Mass: noon Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, 1701 Wilder Ave. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Lorna S.N. Morinaka: 57, of Honolulu, a retired claim adjuster for First Insurance, died Thursday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Roy; sons Tyler and Todd Kimura and Clint and Sean Morinaka; mother Margaret P.M. Goo; brother Hanson and Nelson Goo; and sisters Elsie Ho, Gloria Laimana, Violet Murakami and Marlene Uesugi. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Capt. Richard K. Morrelli Jr.: 43, of Kaneohe was a master mariner withAmerican Workboats. Additional information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.
Marion Mizutani: 43, of Waipahu, a tailor for Blue LagoonCo., died Sunday in St. Francis Hospital. Born on Marshall Island, she is survived by husband Jablon; sons Flander and Zachary; parents Laji and Nedrik John; brothers Bolten, Ranet, Kellong, Jerry, Ghomsky, Sear, Talbert and John John Jr.; sisters Jenny, Nela and Sasako John. Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kaneohe Fourth Ward. Call from noon to 3 p.m. Cremation to follow. Aloha attire.
Ronald M. Nagaoka Jr.: 35, of Honolulu, manager of a retail store at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, died March 24 in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Loriann K., daughter Shaynnon M., son Sean K., parents Ronald and Jean and sisters Rona K. Kasashima and Jodie M. Masuda. Private services.
Tadashi Sakurao: 77, of Pearl City, a retired auto mechanic at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Aiea, he is survived by wife Dora K.; son Clayton T.; daughter Ann K.; sisters Mikie, Mariye and Norris I.; and two grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Herbert M. Segawa: 85, of Wahiawa died Monday at home. Born in Waialua, he is survived by wife Helen M.; sons Kenneth K., Ricky M. and Wesley M.; daughter Lorraine H. Nakata; brothers Takeo, Ronald M. and David K.; sisters Janet H. Okazaki, Harriet H. Kawaakoa, Jane M. Au and Alice M. Saiki; and seven grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary, Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.
David L. Shaw: 68, of Honolulu, who spent 40 years of service withthe U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, died Thursday in Honolulu. Born in North Canton, Ohio, he is survived by wife Midori, sons James and Mark, daughter Linda Le Tendre, brother John, sister Jeanie Everett and six grandchildren. Private services. Donations suggested to American Heart Association.
Fredrick M. Smith: 89, of Kailua, a retired chemist with McDonnell Douglas, died Monday in Kailua. Born in Fame, Okla., he is survived by wife Catherine, sons Edward and George, daughters Barbara Nolfi and Janet Kawelo, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Private services.
Ioane T. Taamu: 47, of Ewa Beach, an electronic mechanic at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, died last Saturday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Fagatogo, American Samoa, he is survived by wife Sesilia; children Jonathan S. Kuuipoaloha, Jayslin Moana and Fred P., Renee M., John Q. and Pili P. Taitin; mother Leufisa W. Savea; brothers Tuvale Taamu Jr., Uepa Pele and Aleni Woo-Ching;sisters Henrietta Lau'Lu, Vaiese Papu, Elisapeta McMorry and Julie M. Woo-Ching; hanai parent Ioane A.M.S. Wendt; and hanai brothers Peter and Louis Wendt. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
Shirley T. Talaroc: 60, of Lahaina died last Saturday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Lahaina, she is survived by husband Agaton V.; sons Noel, Nolito, Noe and Nolan; daughters Nesifin Tagudin, Neiva Vasquez, Nenabel Yabo, Ninfa Talaroc and Nedith Melchor; brothers Rufino and Rulie Tingcang; sisters Emily Jane Papaya, Enjoline Yungod and Alma Cantila; and 12 grandchildren. Mass: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Maria Lanakila Church. Call after 6 p.m. and from 8 to 9 p.m. Burial in the Philippines. Casual attire.
Masaru Uehara: 85, of Honolulu, a retired X-ray technician at Kuakini Hospital, died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Sally; son Marvin; daughter Marsha Allgeier; and two grandchildren. Service: 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. No flowers. Casual attire.
Francisca B. Wold: 67, of Fairfield, Calif., formerly of Waipahu, died Monday in Fairfield. Born in Waipahu, she is survived by sons Phil Paragoso and Anthony Wold; daughters Francine Caires and Anna Oulashin; brothers Michael "Angel," Joaquin and Bonifacio Banuilos; sisters Carol Garcia and Lina Vaughn; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:15 a.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Melvin K.L. Woo: 53, a warehouse manager for JCH Cable and Wire, died March 25 in Las Vegas. Born in Kaimuki, he is survived by wife Charlotte, sons Thomas and Terence Viernes, daughter Tanya Afalla, mother Mabel, two sisters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Burial held in Las Vegas.
Thomas K. "Fat" Yamashiro: 64, of Santa Ana, Calif., who retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, died Feb. 2. Born in Heeia, he is survived by wife Umeko; daughter Mary Held; son Thomas; brothers Fred and Samuel; sisters Jennie Lau, Eleanor McCabe, Virginia Vance and Janet Shiroma; and four grandchildren. Services held.
Benjamin Y.F. Yin: 93, of Kaaawa, a retired ship foreman, died Tuesday in Honolulu. Born in Kona, he is survived by sons Benjamin F.K. and Gareth F.N.; sisters Eliza Nahoeu, Elizabeth Frias, Rachel Pedro and Elizabeth Cristobal; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 1 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.
Herbert M. Segawa: 85, of Wahiawa died Monday at home. Born in Waialua, he is survived by wife Helen M.; sons Kenneth K., Ricky M. and Wesley M.; daughter Lorraine H. Nakata; brothers Takeo, Ronald M. and David K.; sisters Janet H. Okazaki, Harriet H. Kawaakoa, Jane M. Au and Alice M. Saiki; and seven grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary, Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.
David L. Shaw: 68, of Honolulu, who spent 40 years of service withthe U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, died Thursday in Honolulu. Born in North Canton, Ohio, he is survived by wife Midori, sons James and Mark, daughter Linda Le Tendre, brother John, sister Jeanie Everett, and six grandchildren. Private services. Donations suggested to American Heart Association.
Fredrick M. Smith: 89, of Kailua, a retired chemist with McDonnell Douglas, died Monday in Kailua. Born in Fame, Okla., he is survived by wife Catherine, sons Edward and George, daughters Barbara Nolfi and Janet Kawelo, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Private services.
Ioane T. Taamu: 47, of Ewa Beach, an electronic mechanic at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, died last Saturday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Fagatogo, American Samoa, he is survived by wife Sesilia; children Jonathan S. Kuuipoaloha, Jayslin Moana and Fred P., Renee M., John Q. and Pili P. Taitin; mother Leufisa W. Savea; brothers Tuvale Taamu Jr., Uepa Pele and Aleni Woo-Ching;sisters Henrietta Lau'Lu, Vaiese Papu, Elisapeta McMorry and Julie M. Woo-Ching; hanai parent Ioane A.M.S. Wendt; and hanai brothers Peter and Louis Wendt. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.
Shirley T. Talaroc: 60, of Lahaina died last Saturday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Lahaina, she is survived by husband Agaton V.; sons Noel, Nolito, Noe and Nolan; daughters Nesifin Tagudin, Neiva Vasquez, Nenabel Yabo, Ninfa Talaroc and Nedith Melchor; brothers Rufino and Rulie Tingcang; sisters Emily Jane Papaya, Enjoline Yungod and Alma Cantila; and 12 grandchildren. Mass: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Maria Lanakila Church. Call after 6 p.m. and from 8 to 9 p.m. Burial in the Philippines. Casual attire.
Masaru Uehara: 85, of Honolulu, a retired X-ray technician at Kuakini Hospital, died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Sally, son Marvin, daughter Marsha Allgeier, and two grandchildren. Service: 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. No flowers. Casual attire.
Francisca B. Wold: 67, of Fairfield, Calif., formerly of Waipahu, died Monday in Fairfield. Born in Waipahu, she is survived by sons Phil Paragoso and Anthony Wold; daughters Francine Caires and Anna Oulashin; brothers Michael "Angel," Joaquin and Bonifacio Banuilos; sisters Carol Garcia and Lina Vaughn; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:15 a.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Melvin K.L. Woo: 53, a warehouse manager for JCH Cable and Wire, died March 25 in Las Vegas. Born in Kaimuki, he is survived by wife Charlotte, sons Thomas and Terence Viernes, daughter Tanya Afalla, mother Mabel, two sisters, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Burial held in Las Vegas.
Thomas K. "Fat" Yamashiro: 64, of Santa Ana, Calif., who retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, died Feb. 2. Born in Heeia, he is survived by wife Umeko; daughter Mary Held; son Thomas; brothers Fred and Samuel; sisters Jennie Lau, Eleanor McCabe, Virginia Vance and Janet Shiroma; and four grandchildren. Services held.
Benjamin Y.F. Yin: 93, of Kaaawa, a retired ship foreman, died Tuesday in Honolulu. Born in Kona, he is survived by sons Benjamin F.K. and Gareth F.N.; sisters Eliza Nahoeu, Elizabeth Frias, Rachel Pedro and Elizabeth Cristobal; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 1 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.
