Leopoldo Unidad Vocalan's Obituary
Leopoldo Vocalan Obituary
Leopoldo “Popoy” Unidad Vocalan, 81, of Mililani, Hawai?i passed away on August 17, 2025. He was born in Angono, Rizal on November 11, 1943 to Marina Unidad and Pedro Vocalan.
He was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandparent, and respected doctor, who touched many lives with his kindness, wisdom, and gentle spirit.
After graduating from the University of Santo Tomas in 1967 with his medical degree, he moved to the United States in 1971 to continue his training. Alongside his wife Chuchi, he completed his residency in New York. Soon after, they settled in North Carolina where he dedicated over 22 years of public service as a psychiatrist and Clinical Director of Cherry Hospital. He also trained many budding psychiatrists through his appointment at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. He was deeply admired for his leadership, clinical expertise, and commitment to his patients and staff.
Beyond his medical accomplishments, he had a deep love for the ocean including fishing, paddleboarding, and swimming. For 18 years, he and his wife, Chuchi, and daughter, Cristina, spent weekends at their beach cottage in North Carolina, where they enjoyed entertaining friends and family, and of course, lots of time spent on the water. Whether that meant fishing from a Pepsi bottle wrapped with line, digging for clams, or mussel and scallop hunting in the sound, Leo taught his family everything from the patient waiting and quiet joy of being on the water, to the thrill of the catch. He didn?t shy away from adventure and exploration and deeply instilled that in his family. He even became a certified scuba diver in the murky and rough waters of North Carolina.
After retiring, Leo and Chuchi moved to Hawai?i to be closer to the grandkids, and he even dedicated time to working at Kalihi-Palama Health Center. He took every chance to savor life through travel, visiting and joining his friends and family in Hawai?i and around the world. If he was enjoying fresh oysters in Santiago de Compostela, sipping cervezas on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, or strolling along the beach at Ko Olina, he found ways to immerse himself in different cultures, learning the local language, and making friends with those around him.
Leo was a great storyteller and seemed to always have a funny tale to share, whether from his childhood or from his many travels. Some were told so often that you almost felt you had lived them yourself, able to recite every detail by heart. Others felt like little treasures, carrying lessons that stayed with you long after, or details that only someone very wise would know. Leo was a lifelong learner, immersing himself in Eastern philosophy, gardening and cooking, and painting. His warmth, wisdom, and sense of humor left a mark on everyone who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Chuchi Vocalan his wife of over 50 years, and their daughter, Cristina Vocalan (husband, Matt). He is also survived by his children from a previous marriage: Peter Paul Vocalan (wife, Jenny), Leopoldo Jr. Vocalan (wife, Jenilyn), Alvin Vocalan (wife, Jeanne); grandchildren, Lucia, Genevieve, Connor, Liam, Nikki, Fiona, Kira. He is an uncle, tito, daddy, ninong, and kababayan to many more.
A private celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 27th from 4-7pm.
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