Joseph Ayala Lopes 's Obituary
Joseph Ayala Lopes “Joe”, 91 of Pearl City passed away peacefully on September 30, 2013, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Joe was born on February 10, 1922 in Holualoa, North Kona, HI, to Eduarda Ayala and Antonio Lopes.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Gladys Mearl Chang Lopes of 64 years; son, Roger Lopes James, (Kawaihae, HI); daughters, Mearl “Vernie” Cooper, Waikiloa, HI, Darlene “Dee”, (Charlie) Stansell of Silverdale, WA, Janice Akau (Dan Kaawa) of Nanakuli, HI, Masie Lopes of Bremerton, WA, Naomi Chang Damon of Kona, HI; sister, Adeline Sanchez-Baird of Nanakuli, HI and brother Albert Cortez of Tacoma, WA. Mr. Lopes was preceded in death by daughter Jennifer Hamer, October 2004 of Greensberg, IN; grandson Reynolds Akau, April 1992, Great grandson, Iokepa James-Fainga, September 2011; brothers’ John, August, Jaime, and sister, Sarah. He has 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Joe lived his life “Large and In Charge”. Golf was a great joy for Joe and he played it well with professional golfer, Jeff Sluman at the Navy Marine Golf Course in 1970. He loved to fish, throw net, and go snorkeling for squid and lobster. He loved his Latino music and dancing. Joe was a “jack of all trades”, he not only could fix just about anything; he invented a few things to make the job easier, i.e. automatic grater for green bananas.
Joe was employed by the Naval Air Base, Kaneohe Oahu for 2 years prior to induction into the U.S. Army during World War II from 7 July 1943 - 27 February 1946. His destination was the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, which led him to Espiritu Santo, Kwajalein, Guam, Philippines, Okinawa, Guadalcanal and New Hebrides. Cpl Lopes was a Suppy Clerk while in the Okinawa Campaign both as a Scout and Light Machine Gunner. He retired after 30 years from the Pearl Harbor Public Works Center of which 10 wonderful years were spent on Midway Island with his wife and daughters. Joe also retired from the Oahu Country Club where he worked for 12 years as an air condition and refrigeration mechanic.
Celebration of life service 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2013 at the Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary with visitation to begin at 9:30 a.m. and committal at 1:00 p.m. at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery Kaneohe.
The family would like to thank the following for their wonderful care and help during these past 4 months and more: Mr. and Mrs. Rey (Marites) Fiesta; Jackie Dapon, Martha Directo, and Gloria Bennett, of Islands Hospice; Lolita Ching and her staff at Quality Case Management Inc.; Patty, Donna and Doris from St Francis Home Health Services; Winnie Park and Flor from Safe Harbor. Mahalo nui Dan Kaawa, Siate Fainga and Manny Barros, for their much needed help and assistance at the house. Mahalo to cousin, Pualani Iuli for her advice and suggestions regarding Dad’s health care. Mahalo nui loa to Pastor Mirrial Lei George for her powerful prayers and words of comfort through the years and, to family, neighbors and friends that helped both Mom and Dad during these past few years.
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