FAMILY PLACED OBITUARY

Zachary Ioane Reis
ZACHARY IOANE REIS John 14:2 Ma ka hale o ko'u Makua he nui loa na wahi e noho ai: ina a`ole pela, ina ua hai aku au ia 'oukou. Ke hele aku nei au e ho`omakaukau i wahi no `oukou. Survived by sisters; Kathie Ann Reis (Patrick Young) Leolani (William) Furlong, Marilyn (Charles) Keane, Sarah Vierra Lindsey and brother, James. Zach's older brother, Rex passed away in October 2007 - Zach is survived by Rex's widow, Christine. Nephews: Matthew, Zeke, Michael, Donovan, Jonathan, Nainoa, Auikekailoa, Stanton, Marcus and Daniel - nieces; Mehana, Puaolena, Kahaunaele and Kylee. Grandnephews: Cody, Nalu and Na`iau. Grandnieces: Ashley, Kaitlin, Kyla, Taylor-Ann, Teileyn and Maya. Zach was born in Kaneohe in 1959 with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck - resulting in life-long learning disabilities and physical challenges. He worked at a local restaurant and volunteered at hospitals and animal shelters. His favorite occasions were family weddings, birthday and holiday celebrations and attending New Hope Windward Christian Fellowship Sunday services. He especially loved the annual Reis 'Ohana Christmas Breakfast followed by the hilarious and rule breaking "Homies vs. Hoods" softball and basketball games. For most of Zach's life he navigated his path toward God and bible teachings. Zach often stumbled on this journey, but no worries, God was always there to pick him up, dust him off and put him back on "forgiveness road." God wasn't looking for someone who had biblical teachings all figured out - God was looking for someone like Zach who couldn't always manage it on his own. Zach was committed to his New Hope Windward bible study group - every week for as long as he was physically able he crossed the Kane`ohe roads and highways to study the scriptures and fellowship with members of his Levite ministry group. He read his bible with purpose, trying to absorb and understand the lessons and memorize his favorite verses. His personal bible was filled with scriptures highlighted in yellow. In the margins of his bible he scribbled notes from sermons he listened to at church. One of the most poignant notations in his bible was Zach's response to the question "What do you want most in life?" to which Zach wrote "to know God, to be forgiven and one day own my own home." His responses were thoughtful and simple. On May 14, 2011 at 12:20am Zachary's earthly body succumbed to the ravages of Lou Gehrig's disease. He went home to the heavenly mansion God prepared for himlifted by the strength of his faith, justly forgiven, surrounded in love. Zach's legacy was significant.he helped his brothers and sisters to understand with clarity the definition of "family" - individuals put together by God - who create a museum of memories - and in the fullness of time they learned to respect, love and care for one another. Zach did not want a funeral or memorial service, he told his sister "no one would come." On a warm Saturday morning amid prayers of aloha, gentle Hawaiian music and eyes flooded with tears - his family scattered Zach's ashes into the ocean.it was his wish.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased

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