Gene DeMello Sr

Gene was the last living immediate DeMello family of the Nihipali and Fonoimoana Ohana. He was born in Honolulu on April 13, 1937, to Clarence, Sr. and Gertrude "Linda" Correa DeMello, now deceased; also deceased are brothers, Clarence, Jr. and Jerry DeMello. He grew up in Kaka'ako and was known to his friends as "Gypsy" and briefly lived in Oakland, California, then returned to Hawaii.

While attending Central Intermediate School, he gained fame in track and field and broke the State record in the 880 one-half mile race. He then attended McKinley High School where he played sports and graduated in 1955, and soon joined the United States Army. He attended school at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, and was then assigned to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He was stationed in Korea, Kwajalein and Wake Island before his honorable discharge from the Army and returned to Hawaii. He attended Cannon's Business College where he studied Accounting in management, and briefly attended the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Through the Building Industry Association (BIA), he studied Fundamentals of Construction Estimating and limited blueprint reading, and continued his education in supervisory and managerial skills.

His 21-year plus career began at the American Factors, Ltd., now known as AMFAC Inc. He later worked at Acoustical Material Services (AMS); W. Killebrew Co. as operations manager; Midpac Lumber and Monarch Building Supply Co. as a department manager of plaster, drywall, acoustic tile, metal studs, and various other building materials. He also worked as District Branch Manager of Hawaii Construction Supply (Dean R. Shore Co.).

He is survived by his wife, Virginia "Virg" Riola DeMello, of 56 years, and have three children: daughters, Genee DeMello, of Honolulu and Genelle Gliem (Troy) of Rochester, Minnesota; son, Gene DeMello Jr. (Robin), of Honolulu, and four grandsons, Brandon Pomaikaiikealohaahonuiana`auao Najarian, Tyler Kamalapuaonaonaikealapoina`ole and Tanner Kealohapau'ole Gliem and Hunter Lee DeMello. He also has an adopted brother, John DeMello in Hilo.

Services scheduled at Borthwick Mortuary Mauka Chapel on February 16, 2017. Visitation 9:30 AM, Service 10:30 AM.

Burial will follow at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery at 1 PM

Arrangements under the direction of Borthwick Mortuary, Honolulu, HI.