Nathan Norbert Pellazar Sr.'s Obituary
Nathan Norbert Pellazar, Sr. of Waikapū, Maui passed away on September 30, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Hospice Maui Hale. He was 84 years old.
He was born in Pu'unēnē, Maui on June 6, 1940, to the late Donato Amparo and Primitiva Casing Fillazar. Nathan attended Pu'unēnē School and graduated in 1958 from H.P. Baldwin High School.
In 1961, he married Nellie Arzaga, established their family home in Waikapū and began raising their five children.
Nathan was a dedicated Maui firefighter for 27 years, starting at Kihei in 1972 and retiring from the Wailuku station in 1999. He made lifelong friends as a firefighter and engineer.
Prior to joining MFD, he worked at C.S. Wo, HC&S warehouse, Snow White Laundry, Waihe'e Dairy in 1964 and briefly at Wailuku Sugar Co. Always keeping busy, his firefighter schedule allowed him to work side-jobs at BJ Furniture, Wailea Development Company (maintenance), and Haleakalā Shores (window cleaning). He continued to work after retirement at Sherwin-Williams working in the shop and delivering paint.
A man of many names, depending on who he was with, Nathan was affectionately known by his Fillazar/Pellazar family as Nod or Noding and to his Waikapū family as Robert. He was also Uncle Nathan, Nate, Rob, and Mr. P. to many others. Most of all, he loved being called Dad, Papa and G-Papa (the great one).
Nathan cherished time with his family at school and sporting events and would sit in the same area at the football stadium with Nellie. He was an active member of St. Anthony's Church
parish in Wailuku by singing in the choir, cleaning, turning on the fans, and as an usher. As a child, he played in a band with his siblings in Pu'unēnē, was a talented 'ukulele player and also loved listening and singing along to Hawaiian music on KPOA or Channel 800 on his TV at home. Besides his favorite dining spots, he liked to hang out with old friends at the shopping center and getting Guri-Guri with visiting family. He would jog along Honoapi'ilani Hwy but began walking at the baseball stadium where he saw friends and talked story. He loved his trips to Vegas for his class reunions and visiting family in Arizona and Washington. Nathan was also devoted to his many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents Donato and Primitiva Fillazar; his siblings Edward Pellazar, Claudio (Cheri) Pellazar, JoAnn Barona, Ambrosia (+Jesus) Parilla and Marcelino Fillazar. Also predeceased by his parents in law, Pegelio and Mary Arzaga, as well as two sisters in law, Constance Arzaga and Betty Arzaga-Johnson.
He is survived by his brothers, Euprepes (+Dorothy) Pellazar, Faustino (+Betsy) Fillazar, Bonifacio (Janice) Fillazar, and Art Fillazar. He also leaves behind his sisters in law, Norma Arzaga and Judy (+Alfred) Alconcel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Nathan was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years, Nellie (Arzaga) Pellazar . He was also predeceased by their second oldest child, Nadine.
Nathan is survived by his four children, Christine (Bill) Barendrick, Nathan Pellazar Jr., Letitia (Lance) Tsukimura, and Leah (Kaleo) Dancil. He is also survived by his grandchildren Tamara and Jarrett Pellazar, Lindsay and Nicholas Barendrick, Lauryn and Laurissa Tsukimura, Reece and lan Kikuchi, Sadie Ansai and Kona Dancil, along with his great-grandchildren Evionne and Ezra Pellazar.
The Pellazar family is thankful to the caring staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center and Hospice Maui Hale. Also grateful to the many relatives and friends who have supported him and his family.
Services will be held at Nakamura Mortuary,1218 Lower Main Street in
Wailuku, on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Family viewing will commence at 8:00a.m. Public viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to noon with a prayer service at 10:30 a.m., words of remembrance and eulogy at 11:00 a.m.
Services will continue on Monday, November 4, 2024, at St Anthony Church in Wailuku with family visitation at 9:00 a.m., public visitation at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Eulogy at 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Inurnment at Maui Memorial Park at 12:30p.m.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8
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