RUSSELL JOSEPH COLON 75, of Kapolei, Hawaii, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away in his sleep on November 18, 2019. Russell was born in Honolulu on December 6, 1943 to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin "Benny" and Henrietta "Rose" Colon (nee "Del Toro"), both deceased. Russell was an outstanding musician whose professional musical career began in the Sixties with the founding of the band, "The Sonics," which was later transformed into "The Val Richards 5". The VR5 was one of the top sixties band in Hawaii, playing at popular musical venues of the time including Fat City, The Funny Farm, The Happening, and also at the Honolulu International Center Arena (now the Blaisdell Arena), where they opened shows for nationally and internationally known and famous acts such as The Young Rascals, The Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Animals, and Eric Clapton's Yardbirds. He later played with several contemporary Hawaiian music, country music, and Puerto Rican Merengue music bands throughout his career, and jammed with countless other musicians. Russell retired as a rigger from Shop 72, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and was among a dedicated contingent of shipyard workers that in early 1969 accomplished a record turnaround repair time of 51 days to the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which suffered catastrophic damage while off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands, caused by a series of deadly explosions and fires. Russell also was among another contingent of shipyard workers that in 1972 performed emergency communications antenna repairs at the South Pole, Antarctica. Russell was predeceased by his parents; two of his siblings, Loretta Sanchez and Florence Kalepa and niece, Jennifer Colon. He is survived by siblings Benjamin Jr. (Juanita), Vernon, and James (Gaylene). He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Leslie, Debbie, Sharon, Stephen, and Ryan (Sanchez Ohana); Darlene, Laurie, Laura, Richard Jr., and Reid (Kalepa Ohana); Vernon Jr., and Brian (V. Colon Ohana); Gaylene, Kukilakila, Kauiolauae, Leialoha, and Kauakea (J. Colon Ohana); also, many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Russell is beloved by family and friends. We will miss him always. Services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Mililani Memorial Park, Makai Chapel. Visitation: 9:00 a.m.; Eulogy: 9:45 a.m.; Catholic Funeral Liturgy: 10:00 a.m. Lunch and fellowship will follow. Interment of urn will be at 1:00 p.m.
RUSSELL JOSEPH COLON 75, of Kapolei, Hawaii, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away in his sleep on November 18, 2019. Russell was born in Honolulu on December 6, 1943 to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin "Benny" and Henrietta "Rose" Colon (nee "Del Toro"), both deceased. Russell was an outstanding musician whose professional musical career began in the Sixties with the founding of the band, "The Sonics," which was later transformed into "The Val Richards 5". The VR5 was one of the top sixties band in Hawaii, playing at popular musical venues of the time including Fat City, The Funny Farm, The Happening, and also at the Honolulu International Center Arena (now the Blaisdell Arena), where they opened shows for nationally and internationally known and famous acts such as The Young Rascals, The Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Animals, and Eric Clapton's Yardbirds. He later played with several contemporary Hawaiian music, country music, and Puerto Rican Merengue music bands throughout his career, and jammed with countless other musicians. Russell retired as a rigger from Shop 72, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and was among a dedicated contingent of shipyard workers that in early 1969 accomplished a record turnaround repair time of 51 days to the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which suffered catastrophic damage while off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands, caused by a series of deadly explosions and fires. Russell also was among another contingent of shipyard workers that in 1972 performed emergency communications antenna repairs at the South Pole, Antarctica. Russell was predeceased by his parents; two of his siblings, Loretta Sanchez and Florence Kalepa and niece, Jennifer Colon. He is survived by siblings Benjamin Jr. (Juanita), Vernon, and James (Gaylene). He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Leslie, Debbie, Sharon, Stephen, and Ryan (Sanchez Ohana); Darlene, Laurie, Laura, Richard Jr., and Reid (Kalepa Ohana); Vernon Jr., and Brian (V. Colon Ohana); Gaylene, Kukilakila, Kauiolauae, Leialoha, and Kauakea (J. Colon Ohana); also, many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Russell is beloved by family and friends. We will miss him always. Services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Mililani Memorial Park, Makai Chapel. Visitation: 9:00 a.m.; Eulogy: 9:45 a.m.; Catholic Funeral Liturgy: 10:00 a.m. Lunch and fellowship will follow. Interment of urn will be at 1:00 p.m.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
