Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information

GILBERT GALERA Obituary
Gilbert Galera was born to Pedro and Arcadia Galera on September 27, 1937, in Honolulu, Hawai'i. He was one of eight children. His family lived on K Road in Damon Tract and later moved to Pu'unui on Analu St. Gilbert attended Ma'ema'e Elementary School, Kawananakoa Middle School, and Farrington High School. After briefly attending The University of Hawai'i, he married Mattie Peoples and joined the US Army. Their first child, John, was born in 1956. Gilbert was stationed in Sendai, Japan for three years, where he earned a black belt from the prestigious Kodokan Dojo in Tokyo. In 1958, during their stay in Japan, their son, Brian, was born. Then in 1961, just before moving to his next duty station in Berlin, Germany, their daughter, Sheleigh, was born. The family lived in Berlin for five years, where Gilbert was a member of the US Army Competition Rifle Team. Gilbert served in Vietnam from 1968-1969. He then came back to Hawaii and was the First Sergeant of the Schofield Barracks Special Services. Gilbert’s claim to fame occurred when he was Corporal George Strait's First Sergeant. He managed George Strait’s Army band called Rambling Country. After retiring from the Army, Gilbert joined the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as an air conditioning mechanic, retiring again as a journeyman at age 51. He married Lei Momi Pasqua in 1984, and completed his college education, graduating from University of Hawai'i and went on to teach. Some of Gilbert’s greatest fun was spending time deep water trolling off his boat with his two sons. He is survived by sons John and Brian, daughter Sheleigh, and grandchildren Amy, Rian, Kanoe, Ke'anela, Pono, Kalei, Brixton, Tiare, Hokulani, Kaulana, Pua'ala, Hi'ilei, Kanalu, Nainoa, and Hope as well as many great-grandchildren. He made sure that each grandchild understood the importance of education and health by instituting Grandpa School and Grandpa Gym in his garage. Throughout his life, Gilbert continually strived to build all his muscles both physically and mentally in the gym and in the books, especially his Bible. His worldview allowed him to see the goodness in both strangers and loved ones. He found great pleasure in spending time with his family, his church, raising his dogs, and watching UH Rainbow Warrior football. A memorial for Gilbert and Lei Momi Galera will be held on October 29, 2022, at Grace Point Church in Mililani (95-1080 Ukuwai St.). Visitation at 10:00 am and service to begin at 11:00 am.

To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.

What’s your fondest memory of GILBERT?

What’s a lesson you learned from GILBERT?

Share a story where GILBERT's kindness touched your heart.

Describe a day with GILBERT you’ll never forget.

How did GILBERT make you smile?