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Heart of a Servant LeaderSidney Albert was determined to make his mark in this world. He always said that he wants to leave this place better than how he found it. He certainly did this through his service. He worked and paid his way through college while earning his Bachelors in Business. Shortly after, he volunteered for Vietnam to serve his Country; whom honored him with a Purple Heart Medal. He returned to Hawai'i and started a successful business that earned him The Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. During the same time he served his community by joining the Honolulu Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer for 21 ½ years. He left a secured position to work as a public servant for The City and County of Honolulu so he can make a difference in this place we call home. A true Servant Leader.
Sidney Albert's journey on this earth ended in Honolulu on April 21st at 7:14am. He passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his soul mate and wife, Taramati. They sang to each other until he no longer had the strength and Taramati held him throughout the night until morning. He is now in God's Eternal Kingdom.
In 1978 Sidney A. Quintal purchased Safety Equipment and Sign Co. Over the years his company, SUN Industries Inc., expanded its services to material sales and barricade rentals, servicing Hawaii's burgeoning construction industry.
By 1980, the company acquired the full line of Unistrut products for material sales. By 1991, all activities were conducted by three distinct companies: Safety Equipment and Sign Co., Unistrut Hawaii, and National Barricade, which made up SUN Industries Inc. Sidney credits and was proud of the hardworking employees of SUN Industries Inc., for its success and longevity. In 2003, he sold his company to Grace Pacific, and was rebranded as G P Roadway Solutions.
In 2005 to 2011, Sidney worked as Director of Enterprises Services for the City and County of Honolulu, overseeing the six City Golf Courses, the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Shell, Neal S. Blaisdell Center and all City Concessions. Sidney was motivated and went to work right away to secure funding and implemented improvements at all these City Facilities. At the Neal S. Blaisdell Center and Waikiki Shell, he was instrumental in securing shows like, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, Elton John, the Eagles, Michael Bublé and much more. His goal was to bring first-class entertainment for the enjoyment of the people of Hawai'i. He also secured the enclosure for Rusty, the Zoo's orangutan. He loves telling the story of when he held Rusty's hand during a root canal procedure. He worked tirelessly with the Honolulu Zoo Society to make the Elephant Exhibit for Mari and Vaigai a reality. He was so proud with the birth of the three tiger cubs at the Honolulu Zoo. In 2012, Sidney traveled to check up on Keahi, one of the tiger cubs sent to the Sendai Zoo, Japan. This was Sidney, he was culturally grounded in many ways.
His passion for teaching and sharing his Hawaiian culture was evident when his adventures took him to New Zealand with his wife, Taramati. He enjoyed sharing his love of Hawaiian music and teaching the local Maoris how he made his Hawaiian imu. He was tickled when they incorporated some of his Hawaiian imu techniques with their Maori hangi. He volunteered as a Business Mentor for The Chamber of Commerce specific to Pacific Island and Maori business owners.
Malama Honua Voyage came through New Zealand in 2014 and he hosted both crews of Hokule'a and Hikianalia at his Hale with a Hawaiian Imu and Kanikapila into the night. Thousands of miles away from home, Sidney's aloha spirit soared even higher, he always found a way to connect his culture and traditions.
Sidney was 74 years old and born in Honolulu; a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, class of 1963 then attended Woodbury University in Los Angeles. He was called to duty and served with the 25th Infantry Division in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Honor of the President George Washington Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat, the Army Commendation Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster Medal for Heroism. After years in California he returned to Hawai'i and started his business career. Upon selling his company, he spent a short time with Grace Pacific, before he went to work as Director of Enterprise Services for City and County of Honolulu where he worked for 3 Mayors (Hannemann, Caldwell and Carlisle) before his retirement to New Zealand.
Sidney was dedicated to Ohana; traveled back to the United States often to visit family and friends. His travels by cruise ship made it possible for Sidney to lecture about Hawaiian history while playing his ukulele. He said, he was truly blessed with the many adventures Ke Akua afforded him.
For those fortunate enough to allow Sidney to leave footprints on your hearts, his Ohana would like to thank you for your Aloha. We will treasure our time spent with him. The tide recedes but leaves behind seashells on the sand. The sun sets but gentle warmth still lingers in the breeze. The music stops and yet it echoes on in our minds. For every joy that passes, something greater remains.
Sidney will be missed by his wife, Taramati Chanel; sons Sean and Jeffrey; sister Lisa; brother David; step mother Blanche and grandson Max. He was loved by many of his cousins, nieces and nephews. He was well respected and admired by many from all over the world. Sidney's parents were Gladys Ralston Warner and Harry Quintal.
Private burial services were held at Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific. Memorial Services at Kamehameha Schools and Military Honors will be held at a later time when the current lock down is lifted. Please check with Borthwick Funeral Homes for these dates or check www.tarachanel.com for upcoming updates.
Na ke Akua e hi'i aku ia 'oe a hui hou kaua
