SANTIAGO (SANDY) DACOSCOS BUNDA Sandy received his call on December 31, 2015 to join his maker and to be reunited with loved ones he had not seen in a long time. A couple days before he passed he asked if we had the "ticket". It was his way of telling the family that he was getting ready to be with his wife of 58 years, our mom, Esther. In the months and weeks prior to his departure, he was surrounded by family and friends who came to visit him at home and at Wahiawa General Hospital. Not once did he complain. Just as he fought in the Korean War, he fought for his life till the end. Sandy was born and raised at Helemano Camp 2 in Waialua on January 23, 1927. As a gifted athlete, his favorite pastime was practicing his basketball skills on the rich, red dirt court at Helemano. His routine was to make 100 free throws before dinner. He also practiced his aim by trying to knock down his choice of a tasty half-ripe mango by only throwing one rockyes; he ate no mango if he missed. After graduating from Waialua High School in 1944, he joined the U.S. Army to become a lifelong soldier, a drill instructor at Schofield, and an ROTC teacher at Leilehua High School for 7 years. We were told by many of his Army buddies that he had the uncanny ability to run backwards while his troops trudged their way running up road to Kolekole Pass. He left his mark at Leilehua by making an impact as a mentor to many of his ROTC students. After retirement from the Army in 1965, Sandy became very involved with the community serving many years as a Wahiawa Lions club member. He was a member of the Wahiawa Christian Church. The honorable, decorated Korean War soldier, the athlete that played against teams like the New York Yankees and the Harlem Globetrotters, the golfer who won the Hawaii Army Open, the mentor to his students, the best Dad to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, the jokester, and an awesome singer..that is who Sandy was to all of us. We want to let him know that he did a great job being that kind, gentle, and compassionate person who everyone gravitated to. He was truly loved by all. He is survived by sons Robert (Gail), Sandy Jr. (Sue), Paul (Joycelyn), Mark (Kristi), and daughters Tonilyn Bunda and Sandilee (George) Minamishin. Brothers Frank, Alfred, Ronald, Carlos, and Douglas Bunda, and sisters Abelina Salado, and Nita Bayne. 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at the Mililani Memorial & Mortuary Park, Makai Chapel, on January 23, 2016. Visitation: from 5pm to 6pm. Services: 6pm to 7pm.
SANTIAGO (SANDY) DACOSCOS BUNDA Sandy received his call on December 31, 2015 to join his maker and to be reunited with loved ones he had not seen in a long time. A couple days before he passed he asked if we had the "ticket". It was his way of telling the family that he was getting ready to be with his wife of 58 years, our mom, Esther. In the months and weeks prior to his departure, he was surrounded by family and friends who came to visit him at home and at Wahiawa General Hospital. Not once did he complain. Just as he fought in the Korean War, he fought for his life till the end. Sandy was born and raised at Helemano Camp 2 in Waialua on January 23, 1927. As a gifted athlete, his favorite pastime was practicing his basketball skills on the rich, red dirt court at Helemano. His routine was to make 100 free throws before dinner. He also practiced his aim by trying to knock down his choice of a tasty half-ripe mango by only throwing one rockyes; he ate no mango if he missed. After graduating from Waialua High School in 1944, he joined the U.S. Army to become a lifelong soldier, a drill instructor at Schofield, and an ROTC teacher at Leilehua High School for 7 years. We were told by many of his Army buddies that he had the uncanny ability to run backwards while his troops trudged their way running up road to Kolekole Pass. He left his mark at Leilehua by making an impact as a mentor to many of his ROTC students. After retirement from the Army in 1965, Sandy became very involved with the community serving many years as a Wahiawa Lions club member. He was a member of the Wahiawa Christian Church. The honorable, decorated Korean War soldier, the athlete that played against teams like the New York Yankees and the Harlem Globetrotters, the golfer who won the Hawaii Army Open, the mentor to his students, the best Dad to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, the jokester, and an awesome singer..that is who Sandy was to all of us. We want to let him know that he did a great job being that kind, gentle, and compassionate person who everyone gravitated to. He was truly loved by all. He is survived by sons Robert (Gail), Sandy Jr. (Sue), Paul (Joycelyn), Mark (Kristi), and daughters Tonilyn Bunda and Sandilee (George) Minamishin. Brothers Frank, Alfred, Ronald, Carlos, and Douglas Bunda, and sisters Abelina Salado, and Nita Bayne. 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at the Mililani Memorial & Mortuary Park, Makai Chapel, on January 23, 2016. Visitation: from 5pm to 6pm. Services: 6pm to 7pm.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
