Benjamin Antonio Salud
Benjamin Antonio Salud, 63, passed away at home in Hanama‘ulu on Aug. 2, 2023. He was born on Kaua‘i on April 20, 1960, and was employed at Kuhio Auto Group for 13 years.
He was preceded in passing by parents Pedro and Maria Salud and wife Imelda Salud.
He is survived by daughters Chelsea Salud and Keilee Salud, stepsons Christopher (Amelia) Sarmiento of Oregon, Cheyden Sarmiento and Samuel Kalani Fu of Washington, four grandchildren, brother Rudy Salud, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life is Saturday, Sept. 2, at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., services at 10 a.m., and burial will follow at Lihu‘e Cemetery. The family requests casual attire. Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Barbara Schumacher Bales
Barbara Schumacher Bales passed away at Wilcox Medical Center on July 29, 2023, at the age of 92. She was born in Lihu‘e on Feb. 22, 1931. She served as an elementary school teacher for 42 years and taught at the former Hanama‘ulu School and Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School.
She was preceded in death by husband Edward Bales, parents Frederick and Jennie Schumacher, and sisters Jeanette (Thomas) Hines and Priscilla (Melvin) Alencastre.
She is survived by daughter Bonnie (Max) Ocariza, granddaughters Suzanne Ocariza and Shannon (Cheng-Hsin) Chang, and one great-grandson.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Lihu‘e Lutheran Church, German Hill. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with the service to follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be held immediately after the service at Lihu‘e Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lodrigo (Larry) Ragasa
Lodrigo (Larry) Ragasa passed away on Aug. 5, 2023 at his home in Kalaheo.
He was 90 years old, born June 1, 1933, in Niuli‘i, North Kohala, Hawai‘i Island.
The family moved to Waialua, O‘ahu in 1948. He graduated from Waialua High School in 1952. In March of 1953 he joined the U.S. Army and was an auto fuel mechanic and an electric systems engineer. He was discharged in 1955.
Upon his return home he joined the Pacific Boiler Makers as a certified welder. His job brought him to Kaua‘i. In 1962 he worked as a bartender at Sheraton Seven Seas in Koloa, where he met his wife Eleanor. They got married in Aug. 7, 1965, and were married for 58 years. After he got married he worked various different places.
He started as a firefighter at Kentron Hawai‘i at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands. He became a fire inspector in 1968 and went on to Vietnam as the fire chief at four different Air Force bases. In 1975 he went to Wake Island and Canton Island, and was responsible for training programs.
Upon his return, he transferred to Lihu‘e Airport, working for the state Department of Transportation Airports Division. After seven years he returned back to PMRF as the fire chief, and retired from ITT Corp in 1998. Upon retirement he worked part time at Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course for 10 years.
He was an avid golfer. He started golfing in 1955, and eventually became a scratch player for many years. He had his first hole in one at the seventh hole of the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course.
He continued to be a single digit player for many more years until age got the best of him. He belonged to many golf clubs during the years. He also was so proud of himself on the day he shot a 79 at Pebble Beach Golf Course.
For many years he golfed at Wailua and won many trophies, one of which was a state championship. At 90 years old he continued to golf nine holes twice a week at Kukuiolono Golf Course, most recently Thursday, Aug. 3. He played twice a year at the HI-Cal Las Vegas tournaments for 40 years.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor Rapozo Ragasa, sons Paul (Annette) Ragasa, Carl (Kanani) Ragasa, Bobby (Loddy) Ragasa and Larry (Jenneen-ex) Ragasa, grandchildren Pualani, Bobby Jr., Luana, Hunter, Harley, Hailey, Kailea and Kaiea, great-grandson Kekoa, hanai grandkids Puna, Ui, Nohoku, Kailana and Rhyese, hanai great-grandchildren Naniloa and Kalawaia, and numerous aunties, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father Casimiro and mother Bonafacio, brothers Jaime, Fred, Marilino and Moses and sister Felicia Ragasa.
He had a lot of friends, and enjoyed playing his old Martin ‘ukelele, and loved to sing at backyard gatherings. He also helped to coach Waimea High School golf team. He loved cooking for his family and mostly his grandchildren.
He was a member of the International Fire Chiefs Association, the Western Fire Chiefs Association, Hawai‘i Fire Chiefs Association, the U.S. Navy Marine Corps Fire Protection Association, and the American Legion.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Masuda of Straub Hospital, Dr. Duvauchelle of the Veterans Clinic and Dr. Funai of Wilcox Medical Center, Garden Island Mortuary, Jenneen Ragasa, Mels Teheda, Melissa Ragasa, Xanica Perez and all of his many firefighters and EMTs who respected him by continuing to call him “chief,” as well as the first responders, Kalaheo fire station and many friends who offered to give us help.
A celebration of life is at the Garden Island Mortuary on Saturday, Aug. 26. The wake is from 9 to 11 a.m. and ceremony from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
Burial with military honors will follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.
The family suggests casual attire.
