Ben V. Acohido's Obituary
Ben Acohido Obituary
BEN V. ACOHIDO, 85 was born of the greatest generation on May 22, 1932 and passed away peacefully on April 4, 2018. Ben had an undeniable love of God, family and country.
A graduate of Leilehua High School, Class of 1950, he was honored later in his life as the first Fukunaga Scholarship recipient.
His military career spanned 36 years in the Hawaii National Guard and U.S. Army, retiring as a Colonel after tours of duty in Vietnam, Philippines and the Continental U.S. He had a second career as a banker, then retired to become a Special Education teacher at Campbell High School with his first wife Caroline. After Caroline passed away, he taught Special Education at Nanakuli High School and became a Special Education Teacher Mentor. He coached the Nanakuli High School Rifle Team and proudly beat his old alma mater Leilehua High School.
A community leader, he served on the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board for 22 years. After 9/11 he rallied the community with the help of the Lions Club for the sendoff of the first deployment to Afghanistan. He also greeted soldiers returning from the war after each deployment, no matter the time of the day or night they arrived home.
As a member of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) he had a passion to help all military soldiers in need. Until recently, as the Region 11 Director for the Congressional Gold Medal presentation to the deserving Filipino veterans of WWII he rallied delegates from every state at the VFW Convention to call their Congressional delegation to sign the bill to give the replica of the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) to these deserving veterans. When it was signed by President Obama, he asked the community to help find the deserving veterans so that they may receive the long awaited CGM.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church was his beloved parish for over 80 years, serving as an altar boy and as an adult, served as a lector, parish council member, and a Confirmation teacher.
His family was the heart of his life. As the patriarch of the Acohido family, he was pre-deceased by his parents Vicente and Carmela Acohido, brothers Vicente Jr., Joseph, Donald Acohido, and step-son Christopher Loando. Three sisters also pre-deceased him in infancy. A blended family, his is survived by his wife Anita Loando-Acohido; sons Byron (Robin) Acohido, Greg Acohido, Ann Haunani (Anthony), Jon (Charlene) Acohido, hanai son Steven Flores; step-children Sharon (Jeff) Loando-Monro, Mary Frances Loando, Carl Loando, Dawn Loando Kim, David Loando, and Michelle Roberts. His legacy lives on with 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Ernest (deceased Rose); sisters Celina (Malcolm) Lynch, Carol (deceased Victor); sister-in-laws Flo (deceased Joe) Acohido and Chris (deceased Don) Acohido; numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5:30 pm Tuesday May 8, 2018 at Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary's Mauka Chapel followed by prayer service at 6:30 pm.
Mass visitation will be 9:30 am Wednesday May 9, 2018 at Our Lady of Sorrows (1403 California Ave # A, Wahiawa, HI 96786) followed by mass at 11:00 am. Burial will be 1:00 pm Wednesday May 9, 2018 at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery (45-349 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744).
Flowers welcome.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Ben?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ben?
Share a story where Ben's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ben you’ll never forget.
How did Ben make you smile?