Frank Corpus Rulona 's Obituary
Frank C. Rulona / 1925 – 2013
Frank Corpus Rulona of Pearl City, Hawaii died peacefully on March 18, 2013 at St. Francis Hospice-West surrounded by his loving family. He was 87 years old.
Frank was born on July 12, 1925 in Paiea, Maui, Hawaii. At 7 years old, his family returned to Calape, Bohol, Philippines. After graduating from the Bohol High School in Tagbilaran City, World War II delayed his college studies when Japan invaded the Philippines. He fought as a soldier and guerilla fighter attached to the US Army of the Far East (USAFE). Once WWII ended, Frank graduated from Adamson University in Manila with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He then continued to pursue his Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Bohol.
After receiving his college degree, Frank went back to his hometown to teach. He taught World History, Civics, English, and Tagalog. He also became a Commandant of the Cadet Corps, served as a Registrar and finally as Principal of Bohol Province Institute. To this day, he’s affectionately called as “Sir Frankie” by his former students. Frank also found time to serve his hometown as an elected councilman and a volunteer correspondent for the provincial newspaper, The Bohol Chronicle. He was also a member of the Catholic Cursillo Movement and regularly participated as an apostle in the annual Holy Week, The Passion of Christ re-enactment.
In 1958, Frank married his wife, Demie Pernia who was an elementary school teacher. They were blessed with three sons and three daughters. Through a combination of hard-work, perseverance and faith, he overcame his humble beginnings to create a rewarding life for himself and his family. In 1977, with the encouragement of friends and family, Frank returned to Hawaii. After 10 years of dedicated service, he retired from Prudential Insurance Company in Honolulu, Hawaii. Additionally, for 20 years, he was President of a local civic organization known as the Calapenians of Hawaii.
In his pastime, Frank enjoyed gardening, ballroom dancing, cooking, and socializing with his friends and relatives. Above all, he was a good brother, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Demie; his 6 children and their spouses; Lurlyn Brown (Joel), Nelson (Rowena) , Janet Vazquez (Robert), Russell (Lisa), Glenn Rulona, and Angelie Gallegos (Charles); his 9 grandchildren; Melissa, Mark, Kristianne, Ryan, Nathan, Lisselle, Michael, Andrew, and Daniel; his brother, Emilio Rulona; and sisters, Zenona Campos and Cirila Rulona. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sancho and Flavia, brothers Jose, Eduardo and Carlos, and sister, Rosario.
In celebration of Frank’s life, the family will have a viewing at the Hawaii Memorial Park and Mortuary on April 2 starting at 5:30 pm. A funeral mass at Holy Family Catholic Church will be on April 3 at 9:15 am followed by a burial service at the Valley of the Temples in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He will be dearly missed, always loved, and remembered. We are forever grateful for his life and will be blessed by his memory.
The family would also like to acknowledge the loving care Frank was provided in his final weeks at the Saint Francis Hospice West in Ewa Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Saint Francis Hospice at 2251 Mahalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96817 (c/o Hospice West, Frank Rulona). Online donations can also be made at this website http://www.stfrancishawaii.org/services/hospice and click on the “DONATE” link. Condolences may be left on Frank Rulona’s online guest book at www.hawaiifuneralservices.com.
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