Vernard Glen Floranda

Vernard was born on August 20, 1978, at Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California to Fernando and Violet Santos Floranda. On October 2nd, while making his way home from work to his apartment in Manhattan, New York, he was struck by a stray bullet fired by a drive-by shooter. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at Harlem Hospital, leaving behind a life cut short at the age of 46.

His brief life was filled with excitement, action, and adventure. Vernard began playing basketball in the 6th grade and continued through high school, where he also played varsity football and volleyball. In 1995, the family relocated to Pearl Harbor due to his father's new duty station, where Vernard completed his senior year at Moanalua High School.

While studying Physics at the University of Hawaii, he began working part-time at high-end restaurants like Alan Wong's. Through hard work and dedication, he rose through the ranks to become a restaurant manager with DK Restaurant Group, which led to the mentorship of Chuck Furuya, the first Master Sommelier in Hawaii. While exploring his God-given talent of heightened taste and smell, his initial spark of interest blossomed into a lifelong passion for the art of wine. He self-studied for several years and took several exams from the Court of Master Sommeliers to become an Advanced Sommelier. He had set his sights on becoming a Master Sommelier and had scheduled to take that pivotal exam in 2025—a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.

Driven by a genuine curiosity for the art of winemaking, he set out on a journey around the globe. His travels led him to captivating vineyards in France, Japan, China, and Ecuador, many of which were accessible by invitation only. His dedication also granted him opportunities at prestigious restaurants across the United States, including locations in Honolulu, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and San Diego. This journey culminated in the incredible opportunity to work at the esteemed Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern and Café Boulud in New York, where he made his final mark.

Vernard is survived by his parents, Fernando and Violet Floranda; his younger brother, Fredrick Floranda; his younger sister, Vernalette Floranda Peralta, and her husband, Daniel Peralta, along with their four children. He is also survived by his 96-year-old grandfather, as well as numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and nieces and nephews.

A live stream will take place live at 6:30pm via memoryafilms.com/floranda on November 7, 2024