Edmund Kar Ung Yee 's Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Edmund “Ed” K. U. Yee
Born on July 7, 1951 in Honolulu, Hawaii where he lived until February 24, 2014. His parents were Kwai Git Wong and Tin Yau Yee. He was the youngest of four children.
Survivors:
Wife: Janet H. Murphy
Brother: Stanley C. Yee
Sisters: Irene K. O. Wong and Cynthia K. H. Kadekawa
Nieces: Sandra (Michael) Geroux, Diana (Sean) Hiraoka, and Sera-Lyn Yee
Nephews: Kevin Yee, Aaron Yee, Brandon (Christine) Kadekawa, and Jon (Aliza) Kadekawa
Grandnephews: Samuel Geroux, Jake Hiraoka, Koa Kadekawa, and Joshua Tolbe
Grandnieces: Kirra Hiraoka and Mia Kadekawa
He attended the following schools: 1. Star of the Sea Elementary School; 2. St. Louis High School; 3. the University of Southern California; 4. the University of Southern California School of Law. He earned the following degrees: Bachelor in International Studies and a Juris Doctorate. After graduation, he began a career as an attorney-at-law, first practicing at the Office of the Public Defender and then at several law firms, ending his career at the law firm of Ayabe, Chong, Nishimoto, Sia & Nakamura LLLP. He retired in 2013 after practicing over 37 years.
During his working years he was involved with St. George Catholic Church. He also was on the Board of Directors of the Special Education Center of Hawaii (SECOH), serving as President for several terms. SECOH is an organization that provides programs for developmentally disabled adults. On a different note, Ed was also an officer in the Kaimuki chapter of the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association.
After retirement he continued his volunteer work at St. George Catholic Church as a Eucharistic minister, a member of the finance committee, and the chair of the scholarship committee.
He lived in Kailua. He was married to Janet H. Murphy on January 2, 1999 at Star of the Sea Church. As mentioned above, he was an active member of St. George Catholic Church. He was a liberal Catholic who took great joy in the election of Pope Francis. His special friends were Wayne Lew, Rick Perkins, and Mike Wong. His most important events were admission to the bar, marriage, and retirement. Five words to describe Ed are forthright, generous, intelligent, kind, and witty. His favorite past times were gardening in his beautiful yard and preparing wonderful feasts for family and friends. His favorite music was Hawaiian and jazz, and his favorite song was “Fascination.”
Ed would want the atmosphere of his funeral service to be celebratory as he was good with God and man.
Ed's celebration of life service will be held at St. George's Catholic Church (41-1323 Kalanianaole Highway Waimanalo, HI 96795) on Saturday, March 29, 2014 with visitation to begin at 1:30 p.m., service at 2:30 p.m. and Mass at 3:00 p.m. His family requests that his inurnment be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations to: Hawaii Public Radio or St. George Catholic Church--Mary Lou Scholarship Fund.
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