Harry Char, 95, of Hilo, died Jan. 7 on Oahu. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired school teacher and principal, and a captain in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. Visitation to be held 9 a.m. Feb. 3 at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kaneohe, with services to follow at 10 a.m. No flowers, aloha attire. Survived by son Duane, daughter Dana, their families, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Arrangements by Hawaiian Memorial Park.
Helen Mae Cooper, 97, of Keaau, died Dec. 1 at home. Born in Mineola, N.Y., she was a U.S. Air Force veteran and a retired engineer for Hughes Aircraft Company. Visitation to be held from 1-2 p.m. Jan. 27 at New Hope Hilo, with memorial service at 2 p.m. Survived by nieces and nephews Laura Cooper of Keaau, Frances Scarpinato of Keaau, James Huntley of Orchidland, Susan Addis of Missouri, Julia (Jeremy) Newby Ramey of Neodesha, Kan., Barbara J. O’Neil of Long Island, N.Y., Jo Ann Cipolla of Houston, Emma Louise Huntley of Connecticut, Samantha Huntley of Arizona and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ralph Valentine Irvine, Jr., 68, of Volcano, died Nov. 17 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, he was a carpenter. Celebration of life to be held 11 a.m. Feb. 25 at the Onekahakaha Beach Park Pavilion #4. Casual attire; flowers welcome. Survived by wife Charlize Irvine of Volcano; daughters Leilani (Eric) Evans of Nantuckett, Mass. and Molly (Rachel) Mair of Eugene, Ore.; son Brian Irvine of Nantuckett, Mass.; sisters Pamela Irvine (Jack) of Mountain View, Lei Ilima Irvine and Margaret Irvine of Keaau; one granddaughter, two grandsons and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Leonora Cumlat Laurente, 94, of Hilo, died Jan. 1 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Bangui in the Philippines, she was a homemaker and a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where visitation will be held between 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Jan. 20. Funeral Mass to be held at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual Attire. Survived by children Jaime (Adele) Aguinaldo of Papaikou, Levi (Pamela) Aguinaldo of Kahului and Madeline (Mario) Cabalar of Hilo; sister Virginia Abalos of the Philippines; sister-in-law Erlinda Cumlat of Pepeekeo; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Thomas Soares, Sr., 75, of Pepeekeo, died Dec. 23 at home. Born in Hilo, he was a 30-year employee for the Hilo Coast Sugar Company and had a professional yard service business for more than 40 years. Visitation to be held from 9-9:30 a.m. on Jan. 22 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou, with memorial Mass at 9:30 a.m. and lunch to follow at Parish Hall. No flowers. Survived by wife Lynette Payao-Soares of Pepeekeo; children Angela Puna, Tyson McDowell, Jonnette Soares-Padilla, Kelly (Patrick) Figueroa, Alan (Sherry) Soares and Thomas (Donna) Soares, Jr.; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Nelson “Ba” Young, 88, of Waiohinu, died Dec. 15 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Pahoehoe, he was a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran and a former farmhand for A.C. Young. Visitation to be held from 9-10 a.m. Jan. 27 at Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church in Waiohinu, with funeral at 10 a.m. and burial to follow at Naalehu Community Cemetery. Casual Attire. Survived by daughter Nicole Young of Volcano; brother Wallace Young, Sr., of Waiohinu; sisters-in-law Pauline Young of Keaukaha and Gilda Young of Kansas; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
