Our agency would like to express our condolences to Mrs. Edna Hanlon, whom President Jessica Lani Rich assisted when her husband, Bob Hanlon, passed away while vacationing in our islands. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s wife, Edna, asked that donations be made to VASH, “Edna’s Angel”. Robert “Bob” Hanlon passed away on September 29, 2015 in Honolulu at the age of 81. Bob was admitted to a hospital on the island of Kaua‘i in mid-August after falling on vacation. He was later transferred to a local Honolulu hospital to be treated for various conditions and symptoms. Bob retired from the Federal Government after 30 years of service. Together, Bob and Edna have been married for 57 years. They have two daughters, Paula (Dan) Williams and Robin Lee Howard; three grandchildren, Bobby (Tracy) Williams, Madison Howard, and Kaden Howard; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Charlotte Williams. VASH would like to extend our gratitude and sympathy to the Hanlon family.

Our agency would like to express our condolences to Mr. Evangelos Stoyas and the Joiner family, whom we assisted for four months when Mrs. Donna (Joiner) Stoyas was involved in a very serious car crash while visiting our islands in January of 2012. Donna Stoyas passed away on October 7, 2015 in Fairfax, Virginia, after finally succumbing to injuries sustained in her 2012 accident. Donna was known for being an avid track runner and became the first woman to receive a four-year athletic scholarship from the Optimist Club while attending the University of Tennessee. Together, Donna and Evangelos have been married for 43 years. They have two children, Athena and Peter Stoyas; and three grandchildren, Sophia Bolish, Ariana Stoyas, and Xander Stoyas. VASH would like to extend our gratitude and sympathy to the Stoyas family.

Our agency would like to express our gratitude to Mrs. Nancy Spear, who we assisted Rodney Spear2when her husband, Rodney Spear passed away. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Spear asked that donations be made to VASH. Rodney Spear passed away on May 6, 2015 in Honolulu at the age of 64 while vacationing with his wife. Rodney was a retired HVAC technician, auto mechanic and “general jack of all trades”. He had a passion for drag racing and enjoyed watching it on TV and in person. Rodney was married for 17 years to Nancy. Together, they have a combined family of eight children and over 20 grandchildren. VASH would like to send our sympathy and condolences to the Spear family.

The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii will always remember former Board member Warren Ferreira, a former Honolulu Police Deputy Chief who passed away on April 6, 2013. Warren was instrumental in VASH becoming a go-to agency for the Honolulu Police Department when there are visitors who need assistance. He was an early supporter of VASH and set the groundwork for the working relationship that we now have with the police department.Warren was a hard worker and was a kind, thoughtful, and helpful person who is deeply missed.

Sefa Tuai was a beloved member of the VASH Ohana and a talented musician. Sefa was like a big Teddy Bear and sang and played the guitar for our visitors and also at events for several years before his untimely death in 2012. He left a lasting impression on all of us and brought comfort to visitors in distress with his soothing voice. Our visitors loved it when Sefa sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and his voice brought our visitors comfort in their time of need. We will always remember Sefa for his beautiful singing voice, his gentle manner, and his huge smile. Whenever we hear “SomewhereOver the Rainbow,” we always think of Sefa and we miss him so much. We are grateful for the time that Sefa spent with our agency, his dedication to VASH, and the huge contribution that he made with his musical talents. Sefa lives forever in our hearts.

Volunteer Dave Berry, who was a volunteer for VASH for almost 10 years, passed away on November 18, 2014. Dave was a happy-go-lucky funny person who loved to help plan, organize, and attend almost every special event that VASH hosted. Dave had a major role in our volunteer training programs at the Hawaii Convention Center. When Dave walked into a room, he would always make people laugh. Dave had a larger than life personality. Dave and his lovely wife Mary Ann were very special volunteers. Dave enjoyed driving his car for VASH in the Aloha Festivals Parade. When Dave passed away, Mary Ann threw a big party in his honor; he left life the way he lived it, always making people smile. We miss Dave so much and we are so glad that we had the opportunity to have him as part of our VASH Ohana.