I've been thinking of what to say about grandpa but somehow I can't come up with the right words to describe him. I can only think of these incredible moments of his generosity and selflessness to not only Naomi, Jen, and myself but to others as well. 

To reflect back on my time with him, I could probably talk for hours but I'll list some memories that are pretty awesome. Grandpa always took care of us and as grandparents should he spoiled us!!  He would always take us to school, pick us up, feed us if we were hungry, entertain us, and basically be there for us when mom and dad were still working. He always had lots of kakimochi and a never ending supply of soda in his back fridge. That's probably how I gained so much weight in the 3rd grade! Anyways, I never really realized how difficult of a job a grandparent could be until I had to do it myself and take care of my niece, nephew, and my son all at once. You really have no time to yourself or if you did you had to be on a schedule. Grandpa was very good at that. He planned everything around us and he showed immense support for us all the time. 

Grandpa was an avid beach goer and it was his time to chill and hang out with his homies. I swear they all looked alike ... old, white hair, big bellies, and super tan. It was pretty awesome because it was like "Cheers". I felt like he was probably the most popular guy there because everyone knew him! They would always have one guy bring a radio, another with a cooler, and someone with snacks. The "crew" seemed to grow over time and grandpa really enjoyed it.

I also had an opportunity to live with him for a few years while I was in college. I was just excited to move out of my parent's house! He was happy I was moving in because I could probably do stuff for him here and there after school. He always had a way of asking if I could do something for him whether it was doing yard work or running to costco with him to pick up stuff. So even if I was ready to go out and meet with friends I always did what he asked. Usually it was picking all the tangerines in his back yard!!!

Grandpa was probably the most helpful and selfless person I know. He always made sure I was taken care of and, of course, if I had enough to eat. He was probably the same towards everyone and not only his grandchildren.  I still remember the moments I had with him and I am so eternally grateful I got to spend a few years living with him. I'm lucky he was able to be present at my wedding and meet my beautiful wife, Dawn, and most adorable and happy son, Toshihiro. It was truly a blessing that he would light up real quick when he saw Dawn.  He could careless about me at that point but he always loved talking to Dawn.  

Flying home to Hawaii will never be the same. I really miss the moments of hanging out on his front patio, listening to the radio, and having a bento from Marukai.  This was probably the first time that I didn't have an opportunity to ask, "When can we see grandpa? ... Can we see grandpa??" He would always be the first stop (Zippy's never came close!) in Hawaii and it was always a joy to see him smile. 

I don't have to worry about grandpa anymore if he's doing OK or even think how trapped he must feel in his body. His mind was still sharp and he always reminded me, "Getting old sucks man .... " with a chuckle and the biggest smile ever.  

Grandpa, you can finally do whatever it is that you want and be the independent person you always were.  My family loves you so much, I miss you unconditionally, and no one will ever replace you.

Just wanted to send you my love at this time with your dad's passing.  Your dad was the Uncle that I new best in the Pang family.  He used to come visit us in San Francisco and work on projects in our house.  He took me on walks with him at Alamoana on a few of my hawaiian vacations, and I think we spent a couple of New Years at his house with tons of firecrackers.  He was such a sweet man, I can see his smile and hear his voice in my head thinking of him now.
Aloha, Jeb (Jamie Pang's and Larry's son)

One of our fondest memories of Uncle Joe was visiting him at his home after we had moved to Aiea.  This was sometime in the 1990s.  He was proudly showing us his fruit trees and plants around the house.  He was very talented and had air-layered several small puakenikeni plants.  He offered one to us which we gladly accepted.  His plant is still growing to this day.  It is now a small tree that sits in front of our house.  Whenever we open our front door, we see the tree, and it reminds us of Uncle Joe.  It's our “Uncle Joe Tree.” 
Aloha Uncle Joe.

Ron and Darlene Heu

It's a true blessing to have known such a special person like Grandpa, and for being a part of your family.

As a neighbor, friend, and more like family for many many years, we are saddened by the passing of your beloved dad. We cannot find the words to say how grateful we are for the many things he has done for us and our children. We are truly blessed with how wonderful our life came to be. We will always remember the many good times. Edie, Butch, and Ron would stay over your house and your dad would feed them. We really enjoyed babysitting Naomi and Bryan as our own grandchildren. We said a little prayer for Joe before we left the care home and thanked the good Lord for caring for him. We will always remember your dad.

We will miss Uncle Joe and seeing him at all the family gatherings.

My fond memories of Uncle Joe include him helping us with electrical work (my parent's home). His little orchard in his backyard, his conversations with my mom around cooking (e.g. laulau), his marathons, walking at the beach, and his red shirt at Christmas. My thoughts are with you.

We are very sad that Uncle Joe passed away; it's the passing of a generation. Our mother always had fond things to say about Uncle Joe and stories to tell. He always helped out our mom. We loved his fruit trees - especially bulook (or jabong), tangerines, oranges, and limes. We wish you all the best and are glad that he will be with Aunty Ginger.

Uncle Joe, you are truly missed. Thank you for always visiting. You always lit up the room and made everyone feel welcome.

Dad loved to eat and he loved to cook, especially for other people. Many times he would call me at work to tell me to stop by his house after work to pick up roast, spareribs, and corn beef and cabbage (St. Patty's Day for Buddy), or whatever else he made. It seemed that he always cooked for an army. 

He told me that he learned to cook by watching his mother cook. Chinese New Year is a favorite holiday for us. Dad would make his jai in a huge pot on a portable stove on the outside lanai. Since I already knew how to make gau, one Chinese New Year I asked him to show me how to make jai. He did not have a written recipe not even a list of ingredients. This was not unusual. We started early in the morning ~6:30 and took breaks while the pot was simmering waiting to add the next ingredient. I was the kitchen helper to get this and get that. Well, how else do you learn if you are not the gofer? And of course he did not measure anything like teaspoon or tablespoon. Whenever he added something, I asked how much was it, he said he didn't know, and would show me "this much." Lunchtime was great. The jai would be completed and we each had a big bowl. Then we would sit outside for the rest of the day talking, sometimes listening to Hawaiian music on the radio. Well, I "watched" and helped for 3 Chinese New Years. The following year my dad told me to make the jai. His critique was "...mmm it's OK." Even though he ate a lot! And then I made jai every year afterward. 

Dad, on your 91st birthday, you said that you lived a long and good life. We are thankful that we had many years with you. And although you passed on, we will keep you in our hearts, remembering our smiles, and your spirit of generosity and kindness.

A month ago, my brother and I were here in Hawaii to see Grandpa and in some ways, to say goodbye because we didn't know how much longer he had. On a Sunday night, I was told he was in the hospital. The next day he seemed to be worse. I believe in hindsight that it was God who put the urgency on my brother's heart to see Grandpa right away. I remember asking Bryan if he thought it was that serious because Grandpa always popped back to normalcy after a scare. Bryan told me that since we have the time, let's visit Grandpa before it's too late. I said ok, and everything fell into place for me to go. Last month's trip is one of my favorite memories being with my family and especially, Grandpa. I am very grateful for being able to spend hours of quality time with him while I was here. I will remember surprising him at the hospital, showing pictures of his great-grandkids, and occasionally annoying him by taking lots of selfies and pictures with him. I share this memory with you because it speaks volumes of who Grandpa was to me; he didn't seem sick to me, but instead relaxed and attentive. What I am going to miss about Grandpa is his very presence. He was always there for my brother and I, and my family. He took care of us. We spent time with him all the time. Growing up, instead of going to after-school care, Grandpa picked us up and spent time with us. And this continued from elementary to high school. There are so many memories that I have of Grandpa...his mornings at Ala Moana, our breakfast outings, Swap Meet with him and Ma, his love for food in general, his hardworking ethic, and talking story about his life. My favorite story he would share was how he met Grandma. My last conversation with Grandpa was on Facetime a couple of days before he passed. It is another thing that I am grateful to God for: my mom thought of us and gave us a chance to talk to Grandpa one last time before he slipped into a coma. After the I love yous, the I wish I was theres, and lots of tears, Grandpa waved at me for awhile. It may not seem like much to you, but whenever our parents picked us up from Grandpa's house, he would walk out to the driveway and wave goodbye until we could no longer see him. In some ways, I feel like he was waving goodbye just like all the other times. A hui hou Grandpa and like the lyrics in Aloha 'Oe "one fond embrace, until we meet again."

Aloha, Uncle Joe.  
Thank you for your generosity in helping out so many of us on so many projects, big and small, over the years. You always made the work seem easy.  
Your skilled hands included a green thumb ~ the bountiful fruit trees in your yard had to be seen to be believed. 
I'll always remember your smile and especially the way you always made it seem as if things were okay ... and were going to be okay.

uncle joe, youre the best, thanks for traveling with me and grandpa all the time

OBITUARIO

Alfred Chong Cho Pang

19 junio, 1923 – 28 septiembre, 2014

Borthwick Mortuary

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