72, of Honolulu, a retired Hawaii state Adult Corrections Officer III, passed away from cardiac failure at Pali Momi Ctr., Aiea, HI, surrounded by his loving family. He was cremated March 4, Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary.He was born in Sinajana, Guam, and preceded in death by mother Agnes Navarro Atoigue (nee Taimanglo) and father Francisco Quichocho Atoigue; brothers Benjamin Navarro Atoigue, Francisco, Carlos & Antonio Atoigue.
Survived by wife Marsha D Wellein (nee Akau); daughter Daniet Hokule'a Atoigue; sons Nicholas & Geoffrey Wellein (Mary Gerakas); grandchildren Max & Stephen Wellein, Naomi & Daniel Legaspi; sisters Benedict Atoigue Kanda (nee Lizama + Allison Kanda), Anita Navarro Atoigue (+Francisco Dela Cruz), Angelina Navarro Atoigue (+Pedro Reyes); brother Fred Navarro Atoigue (Julia Imaizumi) & 22 heart-broken nieces and nephews.
Daniel graduated from Guam's George Washington HS by way of a 2-year stint at HI Job Corps & earned a Welding & Air Conditioning Certificate in 1973. He worked for the Public Utility Agency of Guam as a Water and Waste-Water Technician. Environmental Protection Agency & PUAG selected him to attend the Lab Procedures & Techniques Advanced Wastewater School at Neosho Community College, MO. EPA awarded him Level I & II certification as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Supervisor returning to Guam with many stories to tell.
Daniel loved to hunt deer & wild boar, enjoyed night fishing with a Hawaiian sling & hunted with a pistol, rifle, or bow and arrow on Guam. He also raised horses, German Shepherds, and was one of the few PUAG employees who joined & supported an 8-month-long Guam Teachers Union strike in late 1981, seeking higher salaries for all GovGuam employees.
In 1981, HI Dept. of Public Safety hired him as an Adult Corrections Officer, working primarily at Waiawa Corrections, but also Halawa & Oahu prisons. He retired in 2007 after 25 years of dedicated public service, following a series of heart attacks.
Daniel was an amazing father, husband & loved his children & grandchildren; he was profoundly proud of them. He had a big heart, cared for many and believed in honor & truth. He also had a quick wit & always listened.
Daniel & wife enjoyed life & traveled to various exotic lands; he also visited Guam yearly where son Nick and many relatives lived. Family was important to Daniel as he came from a family of 9. He also took adult night school courses in Mililani, studying Japanese I, American Sign Language I & II.
We will always remember him as a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, by all who knew and dearly loved him.
Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
