Lawrence Ceferino Nenio's Obituary
Lawrence Ceferino Nenio
06/21/1933 - 09/13/2025
United States Marine Corps Veteran who served in the Korean War, has gone to be with our Lord and Savior at the age of 92. He was married to Janet Olivia Yoon for 58 years.
Lawrence was born in Pepe'ekeo, raised in Honomü, moved to Honolulu as a teenager, and met his sweetheart. He joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. After his service in the military, he began working for Hickham Air Force Base Civil Service and lived in Palolo Valley. He was offered a position as an Aircraft Mechanic at Travis Air Force Base. Fairfield became home for 32 years.
Lawrence was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 2333 in Fairfield- Suisun California, founding member of the Hui Hau'oli Hawaiian Club which provided college scholarships to children of Hawaiian descent, and a member of the Solano Yacht Club. He served in all offices before being elected Solano Yacht Club Commodore in 1984, where his photo remains to this day. He and Janet were proud owners of the Wahine Loke (named after his mother); Janet always caught the first fish. He received first place in the "Over the bottom" race by displaying his nautical navigational skills.
Lawrence worked as an aircraft mechanic, as he climbed the ranks through adversity, to Crew Chief at Travis Airforce Base. He later became supervisor for a private contracting company, and he continued servicing US Air Force aircrafts until he retired. Our father was proud to serve in the United States Marine Corps, loved Hawaii, loved America, and loved his family. The aloha spirit of this island boy never wavered. Semper Fi, dad.
Lawrence and Janet returned to Hawaii in 1989 to his mother's home in Papa'ikou. He enjoyed deer/boar hunting, fishing, spending time with his immediate family, his first cousins (Fiesta 'Ohana), and traveling to Hawaii's 9th island in Nevada. Lawrence enjoyed his life and lived it to the fullest just like his favorite song, "I Did It My Way!"
He is survived by his 4 children, Charmaine Yoon (Melvin); Zandra Gilley (Danny); Lawrence Nenio, Jr. (Marie)-California and Michelle Orita (Alvin)-Hawaii; 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; father, Sefrino Nenio; mother, Rose Santos; stepfather Jack Medeiros; and first grandson, Lawrence Yoon.
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