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Thomas Louis Joaquin was born on June 9, 1943, in Paia, Maui, to Louis and Pauline Joaquin. He passed away on December 2, 2022, in Honolulu, Oahu. His lifetime in-between was full of love, both on the giving and receiving end, and he will be remembered for the impact he made on those around him.After graduating from Baldwin High School on Maui, Tom joined the army and was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington State. While there he met and married Marlene Welk then moved back to Hawaii to eventually begin working at Maui Electric Company. As a loyal and compassionate member of the organization, he climbed the corporate ladder from diesel mechanic to Manager of the Production Department then ultimately reached Senior Vice President of Operations for Hawaiian Electric Company on Oahu. He retired from HEI in 2009.
Tom earned his BA from West Oahu College as a graduate of their first Maui Weekend College Program. After earning his MBA, he became a member of the West Oahu College's Board where he was instrumental in establishing the campus in Kapolei.
Tom was commissioned by Hawaii's Governor as a member of the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services where he fought for VA care in Hawaii and beyond. As an advocate in this area, he also helped in the building of the State Veterans' Home currently under construction in Kapolei.
Alongside Marlene, Tom raised four children: Michael, Mark, Mary, and Michelle. He would lead a Boy Scout Troop; attend every sporting event; take the family on many drives; and support his kids through their own marriages before becoming a Papa to grandchildren: Torie, Katherine, Timothy and Shaina, a godfather to Ian, and then great grandfather to Kholten, Tia and Alia. He spent many hours telling all the kids stories of his adventures, teaching them, and encouraging them to enjoy life and have fun.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., June 9, 2023, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
An informal reception will then be held at the
Rainbow Bay Pavilion A-Frame beginning at 1:00 p.m.
or email mom2pluskeiki@gmail.com.
