Joseph Leopoldo Baguio Tadifa's Obituary
Joseph Leonardo Tadifa was born on March 24, 1943 in Wahiawa (but not in a hospital.). He was delivered the old-fashioned way by midwife M Tangi in a house on 216 Olive Street. His father was Anatalio Ocayan Tadifa from La Union San Fernando, Philippines. His mother was Mary Angelo Baguio from Honokaa, the Big Island of Hawaii.
Uncle Joe was raised by Marciana Suguitan Rafanan from Vintar, Philippines and Andres R. Rafanan from Ilocos Sur, Philippines. He was their “Hanai” son. He affectionately referred to them as Mama and Papa.
Uncle Joe grew up in the Kalihi-Palama district of Honolulu with older sister Mary Visaya and older brother Ricardo (Ricky) Rafanan. Both Mary and Ricky were born and raised on the sugar plantations of Kealia on the island of Kauai. Sometime after 1943, the family moved to Honolulu and Joe was added to the loving family.
During Uncle Joe’s last days, he shared stories of his childhood with me. He remembered how he loved when Mama cooked fish and delicious Filipino foods.
He recalled one day when he asked Mama for money to go out. She said, “No more money.” He walked away sadly. Papa saw him looking sad and asked, “what’s the matter, boy?” Well, Papa couldn’t bear Uncle Joe’s sadness and went to Mama and told her, “Give the boy money.” But Papa also gave Uncle Joe lectures about representing the family and not disgracing the family.
Uncle Joe was kolohe, a rambunctious mischievous boy who loved adventure.
His big brother Ricky would go looking for him when he cut out of school. He caught him playing at the pool hall.
He spoke highly of his sister Mary Visaya. He said to me, “Your mom was a beautiful woman! In spite of our differences, she understood me and I understood her.” There was an old photo of his sister Mary carrying uncle Joe as a child. He treasured and kept that photo!
He graduated from Wallace C Rider Farrington High School in 1962.
On September 17, 1963, Uncle Joe joined the United States Air Force and served during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Travis, California Air Force base. He became a fuel specialist and had secret clearance. He was in active duty for 4 years and 7 months. From September 10, 1967 to September 16, 1969, he was stationed overseas in Germany and France.
Uncle Joe had some good friends and good times while he was in Germany.
But he also had strong family ties.
He was very close to his sister Mary’s two year old daughter Beverly. He
was devastated when she became ill and passed away. He was still in Germany when he received the sad news. He was determined to attend Beverly’s funeral in Honolulu, Hawaii.
No matter what!
But he didn’t get permission from his Air Force commander. So, on Aug 26, 1964, uncle Joe went AWOL or absent without leave. I discovered this fact upon finding a photo of his service buddies posed on the side of an Air Force plane.
On the back of the photo were his buddies autographs. This is what one particular autograph read.
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To Pineapple Head,
Hope they don’t catch you when you go AWOL barefooted in Hawaii.
Best of luck in *P.O.L.
Your buddy,
James Lee Langmeger
*P.O.L. = Post operational leave
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I don’t know what kind of reprimand he received but I know he was honorably discharged on September 16, 1969.
He returned to Honolulu. In 1979 he became a mason and foreman. He worked as a mason for 36 years. He retired in July of 2015.
During his time as a mason, he became friends with Ricky Tamashiro. He spoke highly of his friend Ricky. He was like his brother who was loyal, trustworthy and willing to go over and beyond his friendship. Even with their disagreements and raw language, their bond was solid gold! He said to me, “you can’t find a better friend like that.”
Ricky was instrumental in giving uncle Joe his last hurrah… a trip to Vegas. On his first day, he won $4000. Before Uncle Joe got ill, he was a regular gambler at Vegas and even had his room comped. If he couldn’t be in Vegas, he would watch the poker games on tv besides his sports shows.
Uncle Joe was an avid deep sea fisherman. One of his biggest catch was a 996lb marlin. He loved being on the boat and going out into the deep blue ocean with blue skies. He loved the adventure of tackling and reeling in the fish. He loved the comaraderie and sharing beers and conversations amongst his friends.
He also liked to hunt and had an extensive collection of hunting knives.
Uncle Joe was a towering 6 feet tall, rugged macho man that loved adventure. But there was more to him.
He loved to cook and had a collection of cookbooks. One day, he told me to get a pen and paper. He recited from memory his favorite marinade/sauce recipe. He watched chefs on tv to learn cooking methods.
He was meticulous about his life. He made a to do list for the day, a grocery list and even a checklist of what to pack on his trips. He was disciplined in cleaning and always had a clean car.
He was methodical and systematic. Everything was done in a certain organized orderly manner. He wanted things done a certain way and never strayed from his own plan. He wanted his bread in the refrigerator on the second shelf. Fresh mushrooms were never soaked in water but dirt was cleaned off with a damp paper towel and pat dried.
He was innovative. He made a cleaning contraption to scrub the corners and crevices with three toothbrushes attached tightly to a long stick.
In his younger days, he played ukulele and sang at karaoke bars. He had a vinyl record collection of 45 (singles) and 33 1/3 (LP albums). It included artists like Billy Joel, Donna Summers, Kenny Rogers, Pink Floyd, Prince, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Kalapana and more.
Uncle Joe was a character but after you got to really know him you couldn’t help love the man we was, faults and all. He confided in me that he did and said a lot of stuff. But he said if he was wrong, he would admit it.
One day at Kaiser Hospital Moanalua, he was sitting on his hospital bed with his head down. He just had an episode with the nurses. He shook his head from side to side. Then he blurted out, “I’m a bad boy!” He caught me off guard. I couldn’t help but chuckle and I said,”yes, you are.”
Uncle Joe had a tender side. He had a zest for life and he wasn’t afraid to spread his wings.
Uncle Joe took his nephew Andre Lagua under his wings and taught him life lessons. They shared an amazing bond of LOVE AND RESPECT. Andre stood by his side to the very end.
On December 22, 2023, Uncle Joe passed away in his home with Andre Lagua and myself, Gloria Reynon by his side.
I found a book he kept. There is an excerpt from it that describes how he lived his life.
Heart Thoughts by Louise L. Hay.
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Go for the joy.
Make that your motto this year:
“Go for the joy! Life is here for you to enjoy today!”
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In his memory, let this quote be our New Year’s resolution.
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