ALFRED "AL" TAGUPA Alfred "Al" Tagupa, of Kaneohe, HI, age 90, passed away Feb. 9th 2015 in Honolulu, HI. Predeceased by his wife, Mary-Glennie Ululani Andrews, Al is survived by his son, Kimo Tagupa (Francine) and his daughter Mary-Glennie Marriott (Nolan Kashima). His surviving siblings include brothers David (Leona), Francis (Esther) and Steven (Leilani) Tagupa; sisters "Sing" (Robert) Ford, "Tiva" (Mike) Gonsalves, and Leilani (Jimmy) Johnson; sister-in-law Gyneve "Neva" Andrews (Donald) Wong; 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Al was born in Lahaina, Maui on Oct. 25, 1924, the fourth of fifteen children of Filomeno and Emma (Kawawa) Tagupa. He is also preceded in death by brothers; Clement, Vincent (Kimi), John (Luz), Filomeno "Sonny" (Avon), Jimmy (Nevi) and Peter (Patricia) Tagupa and sisters, "Agri" (Bill) Cavaco, Rose Tseu, and May Blackman. Al's distinguished Federal service career spanned forty-eight years, from 1942 until 1990. He served in the south Pacific from 1945 until 1947 with the United States Marine Corp. From 1947 until 1950 he served in the Marine Reserves. At the beginning of the Korean War, was recalled to active duty, June 1950, serving with the Marine Corp First Division. He was at the forefront during the drive to the Chosin Reservoir, Korea. Al was severely wounded and airlifted out of Hagu-Ru, Korea, to Japan and awarded the Purple Heart. He continued to serve with the Marines until August 1955. That same year Al enlisted in the United States Air Force as a fuels specialist serving throughout his career at Hickam AF Base, Johnston Atoll, Clark AF Base, Philippines and Cam Ranh AF Base, South Vietnam. He retired in 1974 from the U S Air Force as MSGT. He then began his Civil Service career in 1974 as Fuel Distribution Sys. Operation Foreman. After achieving numerous military and Federal commendations and awards, he retired in 1990. Al and his wife, Mary-Glennie, spent their retirement years doing voluntary work and traveling. He was a long-time member of the Waikiki Elks Club and Aloha Shriners. He was a proud member of the "Chosin Few", an exclusive group of retired military personnel who had participated in the historic Chosin Reservoir Campaign. He left a legacy of humility, humor, compassion and generosity for his family and friends and will be sorely missed. Services: Friday March 13, 2015, Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary Chapel in Kaneohe. Visitation from 10:00 am to 12 pm. Service 12 noon to 1:00 pm. Committal Service with Military Honors at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery immediately following.
ALFRED "AL" TAGUPA Alfred "Al" Tagupa, of Kaneohe, HI, age 90, passed away Feb. 9th 2015 in Honolulu, HI. Predeceased by his wife, Mary-Glennie Ululani Andrews, Al is survived by his son, Kimo Tagupa (Francine) and his daughter Mary-Glennie Marriott (Nolan Kashima). His surviving siblings include brothers David (Leona), Francis (Esther) and Steven (Leilani) Tagupa; sisters "Sing" (Robert) Ford, "Tiva" (Mike) Gonsalves, and Leilani (Jimmy) Johnson; sister-in-law Gyneve "Neva" Andrews (Donald) Wong; 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Al was born in Lahaina, Maui on Oct. 25, 1924, the fourth of fifteen children of Filomeno and Emma (Kawawa) Tagupa. He is also preceded in death by brothers; Clement, Vincent (Kimi), John (Luz), Filomeno "Sonny" (Avon), Jimmy (Nevi) and Peter (Patricia) Tagupa and sisters, "Agri" (Bill) Cavaco, Rose Tseu, and May Blackman. Al's distinguished Federal service career spanned forty-eight years, from 1942 until 1990. He served in the south Pacific from 1945 until 1947 with the United States Marine Corp. From 1947 until 1950 he served in the Marine Reserves. At the beginning of the Korean War, was recalled to active duty, June 1950, serving with the Marine Corp First Division. He was at the forefront during the drive to the Chosin Reservoir, Korea. Al was severely wounded and airlifted out of Hagu-Ru, Korea, to Japan and awarded the Purple Heart. He continued to serve with the Marines until August 1955. That same year Al enlisted in the United States Air Force as a fuels specialist serving throughout his career at Hickam AF Base, Johnston Atoll, Clark AF Base, Philippines and Cam Ranh AF Base, South Vietnam. He retired in 1974 from the U S Air Force as MSGT. He then began his Civil Service career in 1974 as Fuel Distribution Sys. Operation Foreman. After achieving numerous military and Federal commendations and awards, he retired in 1990. Al and his wife, Mary-Glennie, spent their retirement years doing voluntary work and traveling. He was a long-time member of the Waikiki Elks Club and Aloha Shriners. He was a proud member of the "Chosin Few", an exclusive group of retired military personnel who had participated in the historic Chosin Reservoir Campaign. He left a legacy of humility, humor, compassion and generosity for his family and friends and will be sorely missed. Services: Friday March 13, 2015, Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary Chapel in Kaneohe. Visitation from 10:00 am to 12 pm. Service 12 noon to 1:00 pm. Committal Service with Military Honors at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery immediately following.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
