Cristetuto Laride Llanos' Obituary
“The Record Shows, I Took the Blows, and Did It My Way”
Cristetuto Laride Llanos, 95 years old, passed away peacefully at home in Waipahu on August 24, 2022. He is survived by his children, Marilyn, Teri, Kathleen, Christopher, Leroy, and Michael. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Frances Aqui (Kapaa, Kauai), Exequiel and Floro (Philippines), Tony and Thomas Dumagan (Okinawa). Daughter Darlene Nazarino (Waipahu) and Grandson, Christian Ignacio (Waipahu). Cristetuto was married 6 times and had children from his first 3 wives.
Cristetuto was born in Kealia, Kauai on March 7, 1927. When he was 5 years old his father Maximo returned to Mindanao, Philippines where Cristetuto was raised by his Aunt. As a teenager, Cristetuto and his older brother Floro joined the Philippine Guerilla Army to fight against the Japanese during their occupation in WWII. Three years after the end of WWII, his eldest daughter Marilyn was born in the Philippines.
He returned to Hawaii in 1947 to live with his mother Patricia on Oahu. Soon after, he joined the United States Marine Corp and his second daughter Teri was born in 1950.
Cristetuto served in the Korean Conflict in the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry as an explosive ordinance disposal specialist. Upon discharge in 1954, he returned to Hawaii and met his 3rd wife and had his other children, Darlene, Kathleen, Christopher, Leroy, and Michael.
As a civilian, Cristetuto worked for the federal government as a security guard at Kipapa Ammunition Station and at Barbers Point. Later, he became a bus driver for the City and County of Honolulu, chartered to drive school students to excursions. In the mid 60’s, Cristetuto worked for Global Associates and worked in security on Kwajalein Atoll and Roi Namur in the Marshallese Islands. In the 70’s, he became a journeyman painter and worked for several painting companies. As an independent contractor he taught his 3 sons and many of their friends the painting trade, and contracted out to paint several business and residential buildings throughout Oahu. He retired from painting in 1992. In the 60’s, Cristetuto learned to become a taxidermist by mail order lessons and stuffed several of his fighting cocks. In 2019, he was recognized and given a distinguished award by the United States government and Philippine government for serving in the Philippine Guerilla Army during WWII.
Cristetuto loved to cook Filipino food for his family and friends. He claimed to make the best Pig Feets Adobo. He enjoyed having his friends over to drink and play poker. He loved music and singing his favorite Frank Sinatra songs. He loved to travel to Las Vegas to play Keno, and to the Philippines. He was known to coin the phrase “Keikis are corners” when surrounded by several children if they’re “Blocking da way.” He was a charming, funny, soft-hearted, and a generous person. He was quite the ladies’ man. He loved women and women loved him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Wake Services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, 6:00 p.m. at Valley of the Temples.
Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2022, 6:00 p.m. at Visayan Hall, Waipahu.
Internment of ashes will be on Monday, October 17, 2022, 10: 00 a.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Veterans Cemetery.
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