By Celia K. Downes and Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“Sharp as a whip” and never idle, James “Jim” Severson led a life of service — to his family, to his parish and the community, to the Diocese of Honolulu and more.
The financial expert had a successful career in the business world and also contributed his knowledge to the diocese, serving for years on the Finance Council and as interim finance officer before Lisa Sakamoto was hired in 2009.
Severson, who with his wife Patricia was an active parishioner at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua, died Sept. 29 at home, surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old.
Until his death, which Sakamoto described as “sad and heartbreaking,” Severson was chairman of the board of directors for the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation.
“If I had to emulate anyone’s life, it would have been (his),” Sakamoto said.
She noted that Severson had never stopped working, even though he formally retired years ago. Whether it was helping a family business, serving on the HCCF board or sitting on the diocesan Investment and Loan Committee, he was a “super senior” who was diligent about his health and his many commitments.
“He was a man of great faith who used his many talents and skills to serve others as a good steward of the Lord,” said Bishop Larry Silva, who added that Severson “was a great blessing to his parish and to the Diocese of Honolulu.”
Severson served on the diocesan Finance Council and several of its committees under Bishop Silva and his predecessor, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo.
“He gave me great confidence that the ship was going in the right direction,” Bishop Silva said.
He also noted Severson’s stewardship at St. John Vianney, which included singing in the choir and serving in the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society chapter.
Bishop Silva recalled Severson “joyfully singing” during Sunday Mass and noted that as leader of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, he “provided much-needed help to many in the community who were in need.”
“I thank God for the privilege of knowing Jim Severson and I pray for condolences for his wife Patricia and their family,” Bishop Silva said.
On the move
James “Jim” Severson was born Feb. 3, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa. It was there where he met Patricia, and they wed in September 1953.
Patricia Severson, who goes by Pat, said they didn’t stay in Iowa for long. Jim Severson enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and after boot camp they moved to California where two of their four children were born. (They now also have four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.)
Jim Severson grew up in the Pentecostal church, while Pat was raised Catholic. During one of his overseas tours, he befriended a chaplain and decided to convert to Catholicism — his baptism took place in Hong Kong.
“When we were first married, he would go to church with me even though he was not Catholic,” Pat Severson recalled. “Basically, he turned out to be a very good Catholic, very religious.”
Jim Severson’s career in finance began after his Navy service, when he earned a degree in accounting at San Diego State University in California. He became a certified public accountant, and the family stayed in San Diego for several years; in 1966, they moved to Hawaii when he took a position at Amfac in Honolulu, Pat Severson said.
Jim Severson moved on to Pacific Resources (the former name of what is now the Hawaii Gas Co., also known as Gaspro) and became a top executive, serving as vice president of finance and later as chief financial officer of Gaspro.
“I never thought we would get this far,” Pat Severson said. “We thought we would be staying in Hawaii for two years, but we had an adventure.”
She said Jim’s loves were deep-sea fishing, Hawaiian music, playing golf, playing cards as a family and horseback riding.
“He enjoyed life,” she said.
Jim Severson, third from right, served on the Diocese of Honolulu’s Finance Council 12 years ago. Also on the council at the time were, from left: Todd Taniguchi, diocesan attorney Bruce Graham, Taryn Schuman, vicar general Father (now Msgr.) Gary Secor, Bishop Larry Silva, Bob Harrison, Vecy Pascual, Severson, Franciscan Sister Davilyn Ah Chick and Paul DeVille. Missing from the photo, taken at the chancery building in downtown Honolulu, were Janessa Bonifacio and Lawrence Lasua. (HCH file photo / 2013)
At top: Jim Severson’s loves included deep-sea fishing, Hawaiian music, golf, horseback riding and playing cards, according to Pat, his wife of 72 years. “He enjoyed life.” (Courtesy Jennifer Hirokawa)
Faithful steward
During and following his time as a busy executive, Jim Severson also served the Catholic Church in Hawaii in a variety of ways. In addition to membership on the diocesan Finance Council, he also was on the finance commission for the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
A few years ago, Severson also became a member of the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation’s board of directors.
T. Michael Hogan Jr., founder of the Hogan Financial Group and Hogan Consulting Group, joined the HCCF board in 2023, though he knew Severson socially from St. John Vianney.
Hogan recalled Severson’s mentorship and said he was “absolutely inspiring.” Among his fondest memories of Severson is listening to his “many experiences as a true steward of his Catholic faith.”
That stewardship was robustly manifested at St. John Vianney Church, where the Seversons were parishioners for six decades — starting not long after they arrived from San Diego.
Jim Severson volunteered on the parish’s finance committee and served with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and both he and Pat were members of the 9 a.m. Sunday choir.
Frances Yoshimitsu and her husband, retired Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu, have also been parishioners at St. John Vianney for more than 50 years Frances Yoshimitsu sang in the choir with the Seversons and said that Jim Severson was leader of the tenor section.
She said that he sang one of the main tenor parts in St. John Vianney’s annual Passion during Holy Week, a moving and significant event in the parish.
“He really enriched the choir,” Frances Yoshimitsu said.
Chaz Ontai, also a member of the choir, said when he first joined the musicians, Jim Severson was welcoming and quick to assist him. Though they cantored at different Masses, Severson always made time to talk to Ontai when they saw one another.
“He always had lots of aloha and was very encouraging,” Ontai said.
Helping the poor
In 2019, Severson began volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the request of its newly elected Windward Oahu Conference president, Melodie Sasaki.
She said despite having never previously worked for the St. Vincent de Paul Society or with people who are living below the poverty line, he became the organization’s treasurer.
Sasaki said Severson was grateful for his experiences with the people he encountered who changed his understanding of the many hardships of people living in poverty.
“He is sorely missed and was a good friend,” she said. “His assistance as treasurer of our organization was invaluable.”
Pat Severson said that her husband’s faith meant a lot to him, “and he was dedicated to (the St. Vincent de Paul Society).”
Mark Clark, former director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, said Severson’s work with the organization was an important gift.
“To honor Jim’s many good works, I encourage folks to volunteer or contribute to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, to which he gave so much of his time, talent and treasure,” Clark said.
Funeral services for Severson will take place Nov. 7 at St. John Vianney Church. Visitation is at 9:45 a.m., followed by the eulogy at 10:45 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m. and fellowship at 12 p.m. Final committal will take place in December.