Norbert Hernandez's Obituary
Norbert Hernandez
October 4, 1931 - October 5, 2025
E hoʻomaha me ka maluhia
On October 5th, one day after his 94th birthday and 17 days after his wife's passing, our loving Papa passed away. His death was peaceful and without pain. He was ready.
Although he had slowed down the past couple of years, he was happy and healthy until September of 2025 when he fell ill with pneumonia. He was able to go home from the hospital and be where he wanted to be, with his family. He was lucid until the end. After he passed, we dressed him in one of his favorite Hawai’ian shirts, his grandkids climbed up to hug him, smell his lei, and say good-bye.
Norbert was a cherished husband. He was Beatrice’s true love, her rock. He stayed with her until the end, keeping his promise, “till death do us part.” He made sure his Queen Bea was taken care of and with family. Once she passed, their love story of 58 years of marriage had come to an end. In his final days, he saw a vision of Beatrice and spoke to her, telling her how lovely she looked and that he would see her soon. It brought tears to his eyes; he said she was not sick anymore.
Norbert was a supportive father. He made sacrifices for his family and gave his two children, Michele and Dana, a strong foundation on which to build. He had an unfaltering work ethic and modeled how to make good choices, even in difficult situations.
Norbert was a tender and kind “Papa” to six grandchildren who he loved unconditionally. In Chicago, he was cherished by his first grandchild, always ready to play games, read books and be the subject of dress-up! In Hawai’i, he lived with 5 more grandchildren who kept him on his toes and visited his suite daily for hugs and besos. He always had a treat to slip to the little ones.
Always a great provider and caregiver, truly a life well-lived. He asked that nobody cry, but instead, be happy for him because he lived a long, joyful and beautiful life. We miss him dearly.
His final resting place will be at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery #2 in Hilo, HI, with his wife, Beatrice.
A hui hou, Papa!
https://www.homelanimemorialpark.com/obituaries/beatrice-hernandez-7
In lieu of flowers and to honor Norbert/Beatrice, donations may be made to Diabetes Youth Families (https://dyf.org). This organization, and the staff, are dear to their hearts. We host many friends and family from DYF and donate our ohana to them every year.
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