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Hawaii's own jazz legend Gabriel Ruiz Baltazar, Jr., passed away peacefully at his home in Waialua on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Gabe, also known as Hiroshi, was born on November 1, 1929 in Hilo, raised on Oahu, a 1948 graduate of McKinley High School, attended Los Angeles City College, and received a BA in Music from California State University, Los Angeles.Gabe served in the US Army, assigned to the 356th Army Band, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, and received the National Defense Service Medal. Gabe returned to Hawaii, joined the Royal Hawaiian Band, and left again for Los Angeles and matriculated to LA City College. Four years later Gabe joined Stan Kenton Orchestra, played alto sax, and featured on Stan Kenton's last recording, Stan Kenton Presents Gabe Baltazar, recorded January 1979. Upon retiring from the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Gabe became a member of the musician's union, doing freelance and studio work, and after thirteen years returned to Hawaii and became Deputy Bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, until his retirement.
Gabe is survived by his son Scott (Mary) Baltazar of Spokane, WA, stepson Eugene Dennis (Judy) Gold, brother Ronald Hideo (June) Baltazar, brother-in-law Delano Choy of Hilo, half-brothers Gary (Nancy) Baltazar of Iowa, Anthony, and Clifford (Lynette) Ballesteros, nieces, and nephews. Gabe is predeceased by spouses Rose Lunasco Baltazar and Eleise Kelly Baltazar, parents, Gabriel Ruiz Baltazar, Sr. and Leatrice Chiyoko Haraga Ballesteros, brother Norman Takao Baltazar and sister Doris Hiroko Choy.
Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at St. Michael's Church, 67-390 Goodale Avenue, Waialua. Visitation at 9:00 a.m. and Mass at 10:00 a.m.
Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022 at Hawaiian Memorial Park, 45-425 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe. Visitation at 9:30 a.m., Service at 11:00 a.m., Lunch to follow. Committal Service with immediate family for Gabe and Rose Baltazar will be at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. No Flowers.
