Neal Gordon Alameda's Obituary
Born on July 13, 1952 to Anthony & Loretta Colleen Tam Sing lived at 17th Avenue until 1955, mover to a new house at St. Louis Heights 1665 Quincey Place for eighteen years until Neal and his Dad bought a fishing craft named Aloha Centauri. They later invested into a 38 foot sampan built by famous boat builder Funai. Cindy was one of the last sampans built by Funai. The sister sampan was sold to Richard Tam Sing, Neal's Uncle, Colleen's brother. It was a beautiful sampan, Diesel Engine and all the equipment aboard, fish finder, radio etc.
Neal graduated from Kaimuki High Schoold took a course at the University of Hawaii to learn all about trapping. He became a trapper, designed a system where the buoy would stay submerged for four days and emerged when he returned to up traps of lobsters, crabs etc. He supplied John Dominis with his catch for many years.
Growing up Neal studied birds, he had an atrium full of finches with a water fall.
He was given an egg, a golden pheasant hatched on top of our water heater, he turned it over each day until D, Day. No one would believe that it actually hatched, he gave it back to the zoo.
The neighborhood kids looked up to Neal as an authority on whatever projects interests them during the holidays the kids would pick up un -expolded fire works so Neal could build a rocket_well to the overjoyed kids they experienced a rocket that went straight up and disappeared into space, they marvelled at his ingenuity.
His school books were in a brief case. He would also have all kinds of candies which he sold to the kids, he was a candy vendor.
Prior to his fishing ventures, Neal worked for the family business hauling baggage for group tours. He learned to drive trucks as well as becoming a mechanic which he learned from his dad tony. The baggage business allowed Neal to meet many hotel employees as well as airline personel. He later became quite a dispatcher.
His mother, Colleen started a Doll Company teaching & selling doll making products. He learned to pour porcelain into antique reproduction molds. He marveled at his accomplished master pouring which turned out perfect green ware. Everything Neal did was in perfection.
Later in life Neal joined the Hawaii Kai Marine patrol. He applied his knowledge as a boatsman, car mechanic and ingenuity to the many projects arising from the Marina operation saving them thousands of dollars. Needless to say Neal loved challenges. No one knows to this day, how he moved a two ton boulder ten feet without any equipment. It was the talk between fellow patrolmen.
Neal was also very neighborly, helping them throughout the years. Thery all respected him and loved him dearly. He learned to play mahjong with his friends in Waimanalo, spending each weekend enjoying their company.
Neal was a very loving son, worrying about his dads welfare, checking on him between breaks while patrolling the Marina. Then caring for his Mom's needs, Doctor visits, medications, grocery shopping, even cooking in a wok or on the barbeque. He mowed the lawn, fixed things around the house, raised fish installed water systems, worked on family cars. Repaired the rental houses etc. Always busy, never idle, he loved electronics.
He once said "What am I going to do in Heaven"? I couldn't answer that question.
His favorite fruit was watermelon, his idea was that the biggest water melons were the sweetest. So the larger the better. He would look for the largest one he could find. He'd eat an apple a day.
Neal was a very caring son. Everyday he'd ask "Mom, what are you going to have for dinner. I'm going to Costco, let me know if you need anything." Always caring, a friend to his nieces, nephews, cousins - everyone. He loved all and loved life too.
Neal has two sisters, Colleen Souza and Olivia Schneider, nephews Scott Souza, Rennie Thomas, Tony Joe Thomas, Neices, Shelby Yu (Jason Yu), Desiree Thomas, great nephew Jacob Yu, cousins Alan Alameda, Rose Marie Alameda, Dianne Solomito (John) and his mother Loretta Colleen Correa, Aunts Theresa Lui (Calvin) Carole Mae Tam Sing, Uncles Joseph Henry Tambing (Irmgard) Martha Jean Tam Sing (Richard RIP) James Tam Sing RIP New Born Great Nephew Bodhi Souza.
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