Deacon Jerry Nunogawa
Deacon Jerry H. Nunogawa, the Hilo resident who was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Honolulu six years ago, died unexpectedly June 17 on Oahu. He was 72.
Deacon Nunogawa collapsed at St. Stephen Diocesan Center where he had been serving as a member of the core formation team for a diaconate training class. He was taken to Castle Medical Center in Kailua where he was pronounced dead.
His funeral service will be June 24 at St. Joseph Church, Hilo, starting with 8:30 a.m. visitation, followed by a eulogy at 10:15 a.m. and Mass at 10:30 a.m. The services will conclude with a reception.
A second service is scheduled for July 17 at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua, Oahu. Visitation is at 9 a.m., eulogy at 10:45 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow.
Born in Honolulu and educated at the University of Hawaii, Deacon Nunogawa was ordained at his home parish of St. Joseph, Hilo, by Bishop Larry Silva on Feb. 3, 2007. He served at St. Joseph Church.
On June 1 he had been appointed by Bishop Silva as the diocesan director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, on which board he had served. He was also a member of the diocese’s deacon council.
Deacon Nunogawa had worked for the Hawaii state Department of Health and also served in the U.S. Army and in the U.S. Public Health Service for 26 years.
He is survived by his wife Rosemary and sons Matthew and Nicholas. Send condolences to Rosemary at 1673 Halekole Street, Hilo, HI 96720.