Obituaries for Wednesday, September 25, 2024

William E. Doherty

William E. Doherty, 77, of Johns Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Walterboro, South Carolina. Born on January 8, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, William was a son of the late Helen (Hickey) Doherty and the late William J. Doherty.

“Bill” was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He grew up in Middle Village, Queens, and attended St. John’s Prep and St. John’s University. He joined the Army and attended Officer Candidate School. He obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant, served in combat in Vietnam, and received a Purple Heart. He worked for Pan American World Airways and travel became his passion. On one of his adventures, he met his wife Patty at the Pan Am Terminal at JFK Airport. They were married in 1971, and raised two wonderful children in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Bill loved sharing his passions with others. He took his family to Broadway shows, museums, air shows, New York Giants home games, and exotic destinations around the globe. He’d often surprise his wife with a romantic getaway to Capri or Hawaii. He spent many weekends umpiring Little League baseball, golfing, and flying. He obtained his private pilot’s license and loved flying friends and family up the Hudson River Corridor or taking them on trips as far south as the Caribbean. In 2006, he moved with his wife to Kauai, Hawaii. He took people on tours of the island, sharing the Aloha spirit for over fifteen years. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting on his lanai, looking out on the pasture, listening to the chickens and feeding the goats. He loved sharing this experience with his grandchildren. He served as a volunteer at Wilcox Hospital in Lihue, putting smiles on the faces of everyone he encountered. Bill and Patty returned to the East Coast in 2021, settling in Charleston to be closer to family. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and dance recitals. He was also deeply philanthropic, often inspired by stories of people in need. He never forgot where he came from nor the people who helped him along the way.

The last chapter of his life, although difficult, was made better by the compassionate and dedicated professionals at Veterans Victory House, who often commented on his kindness and sense of humor. His wife Patty was by his side almost every day.

Bill was a lifetime member of the Delta Crown Room and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Patricia Doherty, his children Tara Hasenberg (Jason) of Johns Island, Dennis Doherty (Mary) of Katy, Texas, three grandchildren, Colin Doherty, and Caryn and Jenna Hasenberg.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother and sister, two nephews, and a granddaughter, Leah Hasenberg.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Church of the Nativity, 1061 Folly Road, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412. The Rite of Committal, with Military Honors, will follow at 2 p.m. at Beaufort National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Veterans Victory House, the Parkinson’s Foundation, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, South Carolina, 29414, (843) 722-8371.

Thomas Shipman Blankley Jr.

Thomas Shipman Blankley Jr. passed away Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. Tom was born on May 19, 1953, to Susanne (Latson) Blankley and Thomas Shipman Blankley II in Brooklyn, New York.

Tom grew up on Long Island, New York, and loved sailing on the Long Island Sound with his family. His absolute favorite sport was baseball and was an avid Yankee’s fan his entire life. Tom introduced baseball to his wife Leona, and they traveled around the country to attend baseball games. Tom loved music and used to be a DJ while at Bucknell College. His favorite musical band of all time was The Beatles.

Tom brought his three children whom he adored to Tokyo and London, introducing his young children to many exciting excursions and vacations to various foreign countries. Kauai, Hawaii, was Tom’s lifelong dream home and ultimately brought his family back home to Kauai.

Tom was preceded in death by parents Susanne Blankley, Thomas Shipman Blankley II, Katy Constantino, Julian Constantino, two sisters Barbara Blankley Guttery and Sharon McMillan. Also, a series of family pets Mimi, Mauka, Makai, Hilo, Harry, Larry Bubba, Zoey, Annie, and Cinna, that he adored.

He is survived by his wife Leona Blankley, his three children Tiffany Woodard (Bill), David Rohner (Rachel), Jason Rohner (Haley), two grandchildren, Echo Sol Blankley Rohner, Koda Julian Rohner, five siblings, sisters Mary Blankley Barefoot, Julie (Pierre) Pavao, Marie Berry (Jeff), Jodie (Rick) Carlsen, brother Roy (Lisa) Constantino, many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

Private service will be held. Please consider donations to Kauai Hospice or Kauai Humane Society in memory of Tom Blankley.

Dee Milton Crowell

Dee Milton Crowell, of Eleele, passed away peacefully at his residence on Sept. 1, 2024, at the age of 70. He was born on Sept. 17, 1953, on Kauai. He graduated from the University of Southern California and worked as an architect/planner for the County of Kauai. He was affiliated with the KIUC Board of Directors, architecture firms Group 70 and Urban Works, Hawaii Health Systems, Liquor Commission, and KVMH Board of Directors.

He was preceded in death by parents George Ikua Crowel, Doris Fukuda Crowell and brother Melvin Crowell.

He is survived by wife Laurel Kathleen Crowell (Kathy) of Eleele, daughter Casey Ka‘iminoeau Crowell of Seattle, brothers Robert (Helen) Crowell of Honolulu, George (Kathy) Crowell of Waimea, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation from 2 to 3 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m.

Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Patrick ‘Naka’ Keawe Kahikuonamoku Nakaahiki

Patrick “Naka” Keawe Kahikuonamoku Nakaahiki, of Anahola, passed away Aug. 29, 2024, at Gardenisle Healthcare/Wilcox Hospital, he was 77. Patrick was born Dec. 28, 1946, in Lihue, Kauai, to Mary and Libert Nakaahiki. He was a Retired Construction Supervisor having worked for Nakas Construction, Peter Sperry, Browns Trucking and KremCo-Kukuiula Clubhouse.

He was preceded in death by parents Mary and Libert Nakaahiki, “Aunty Phine” Josephine Carrillo, brothers Libert, Wilfred and Wilbert Nakaahiki.

Patrick is survived by Soul Mate of 23 years Deborah Carlotta Valpoon Coleman, children Sean Nakaahiki, Carla, Travis and Mike Coleman, grandchildren Kalen Nakaahiki, Kekai, Kaie, Mehana, Kainoa and Analese Coleman, great-grandchildren Kiaree Nakaahiki, Kaden and Keanu Coleman and sister Vicky Victorino.

A celebration of life will be held on Oct. 12, 2024, at Koolauhuiia Protestant Church in Anahola. Visitation will begin at 9:30, services at 11 a.m. with internment to follow. A reception and lunch will follow the internment. Flowers are welcomed.

Lorena (Balbarino) Aranio

Lorena (Balbarino) Aranio, of Puhi, Kauai, passed away on July 25, 2024, at home at the age of 86 and was born on March 13, 1938, in Hanamaulu, Kauai.

She was a graduate of St. Theresa Catholic Elem. School in 1952 and Waimea High School in 1956.

She was a piano and organ player, who voluntarily played at Sunday’s church services and at special church functions and community events.

Preceded in death by her son Delray Aranio, husband Reynold Aranio, parents Juan and Melitona Balbarino all from Kauai and brother Larry Balbarino from Hilo, Hawaii.

Lorena is survived by son Bradley Aranio of Puhi, Kauai, brothers Melvin Balbarino of Waipahu, Oahu, Patrick Balbarino of Omao, Kauai, uncle Rosario “Ross” Coyamin of Puhi, Kauai, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Church, with 8 a.m. visitation, 9:45 a.m. Mass, and inurnment to follow at Lihue Cemetery.

Borthwick Kauai Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lillian Pang Tom

Lillian P. Tom, of Kapaa, age 99, peacefully passed away at home on Aug. 28, 2024. She was born on Oahu on May 11, 1925. She retired from the Hawaiian Telephone Company-having worked as a customer service representative on Oahu and Kauai.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her 6 siblings. Her husband of 60 years, Richard M.D. Tom (Dickie, age 93) passed away in 2014.

She is survived by her 3 children Stephanie Wong of Oahu, Jonathan (Avis) of Kauai, Richard Dana (Laurie) of Oahu, grandchildren Richard Kia of Kauai, Lyndsey of Kauai, Zachary of California, Courtney of Nebraska, Kyler of Oahu, Hali of Kauai, and Naleah of Kauai.

Her family is deeply grateful and thankful for the services provided by the staff of Kauai Hospice, and the devoted caregiving from Betty Duarte and Annie Hyde.

Private services to be held.

Scott L. Hardwick

Scott L. Hardwick, of Kekaha, passed away on Aug. 24, 2024, on Oahu at the age of 66. He was born on Dec. 23, 1959. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired from Corteva Agriscience.

He was preceded in death by father Jerry Hardwick.

He is survived by wife Kate Okihara Hardwick of Kekaha, son Greg Hardwick of Kekaha, daughter Lauren Hardwick of Kauai, grandchild Khat Hardwick-Kaohelaulii, mother Sandra Hardwick of Washington, sister Kandy Jo (Bruce) Bailey of Washington, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawai. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 10 a.m. Inurnment will follow at 1 p.m. at Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.

Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sandra Mae Villanueva

Sandra Mae Villanueva, 67, of Hanamaulu, passed away at Garden Isle Health Care on Aug. 23, 2024. She was born in Lihue, Kauai, on May 22, 1957, and was a loving daughter and sister.

Preceded in death by her father Alfredo Villanueva.

She is survived by her mother Leonora “Nora” Villanueva, brother Alfred Villanueva, niece Mikayla Pacheco-Villanueva, numerous aunties, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Church with visitation from 8 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m.

Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.