Nick Amigo Amian's Obituary
Nick Amigo Amian
aka Nicolas Amian, Colas, Papa
December 5, 1937 - May 12, 2018
Predeceased in death by:
Parents: Sixto Amian and Perpetua Amigo
Siblings: Marina and Merlyn Amian
Survived by:
Wife: Artemia “Femy” Sao Amian
Daughter: Arnie (and Scott) Kikkawa
Grandchildren: Caroline and Cole Kikkawa
Son: Sixto (and Audra) Amian II
Grandchildren: Brianna, Alexis, Sixto Austin III, and Noah Amian
Great-Grandchildren: Taj and Mila Amian-Kealoha
Daughter: Arlene (and Chad) Nishimura
Grandchildren: Nicolas, Erin, and Chaddy
Sister: Dolores Amian Mateo
Nicolas Amigo Amian was born in Barangay #60-A Caaoacan, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, on December 6, 1937. He had an older sister, Marina, who was stillborn. He was Manong to younger sisters Dolores and Merlyn.
He grew up in a loving home, surrounded by an extended family. His father, Sixto (Tatang), was a lucky fisherman, who almost always brought home a good amount of fish which his mother, Perpetua (Nanang) sold at the fish market. He was doted upon by his parents. For example, before any fish could be sold, he was always given the chance to select the ones he wanted eat - and Nanang would not sell those.
When he was 9 years old, and his sister, Dolores (Loly) was 6 years old, Tatang joined the wave of men immigrating to Hawaii. At the time Tatang left, Nanang was pregnant with his sister, Merlyn.
In the intervening years as Papa grew into a young man, he became enamored of his future wife, Artemia (Femy). Papa and Mama’s grandmothers were friends and had decided that their grandchildren should marry. Papa went along with the idea more so than Mama. At the age of 15, Papa would go to town (Laoag) and sing songs on the radio which he would dedicate to Mama. At 13, he also tattooed Mama’s name on his chest with the words, “No one can take your place in my heart, Femy.”
As hard as he tried, he could not capture Mama’s heart until finally… he laid down an ultimatum. At the start of December 1963, Papa announced to Nanang and all who would listen that he was going to Manila to bring home his future wife. He asked Nanang to prepare for the impending wedding and celebration. Papa went to see Mama in Manila where she had been working as a nanny for the children of a young lawyer from her hometown. He told Mama that he had practically promised that he would return with someone who would be his wife… if she wasn’t going to agree to be his wife, he had someone else in the wings! Mama said yes. [No one really did know if he did have someone else or not.] They returned to Caaoacan together and had less than a few days to prepare. Mama was fortunate in that her Ninang (godmother) was able to sew her wedding dress in 3 days! They were married on December 14, 1963 and enjoyed 54 1/2 years together.
On January 23, 1965, their first daughter Arnie (Nenette) was born. She was followed by son Sixto II on April 6, 1967. Less than a year later, in February 1968, Papa left the Philippines for Hawaii to join Tatang and in search of a better life. [When he came to Hawaii, the officer filling out his paperwork incorrectly wrote his birthday as Dec. 5.] In March 1969, Mama, Nette and Six joined him in Hawaii. On January 15, 1970, a second daughter Arlene was born.
Papa was an awesome dad and husband. When each of his children were born, Mama never had to get out of bed in the middle of the night when the baby cried. He would get up, change the child and then bring the baby over to Mama so the baby could nurse. Every morning, when they were both working, Papa would pack their lunches and make breakfast and tea for Mama before waking her up. Since Mama’s work day ended later than his, every afternoon, he would come home and make dinner before going out again to pick her up.
Papa and Mama raised their family in Kalihi. Papa and Mama instilled the value of education in all their children and strived to provide the best for them. They may not have had much but Mama and Papa were generous in their support. Papa often drove Nette, Six and Arles to many school functions. On one occasion he picked up all of Nette’s friends and took them to Farrington by 5 am for a swap meet. Often he would refer to his children’s friends by their street names: “Okay, I’ll go to Papali, then Mali’u, then Pua’ala, then Rose Street?”
Though a man of few words, Papa passed on his wisdom by sharing his Papa-isms.
“Better late than never”
“One word is enough for the wise”
“Too much decoration spoil the position”
“Black is beauty”
“If your stomach is sore, eat some more!”
“Beauty is useless, character is the best!”
“Love is stronger than a caterpillar and taller than a marunggay tree”
“Love many, select the best”
Papa was a funny man. Maybe even a funny kine man! His jokes made the family laugh - and they were better yet as he said them with this Filipino accent. Until the day he passed, he was making family and people around him laugh with his lame jokes.
When he had to take early retirement at the age of 56, Papa became a super Papa babysitter. While Mama continued to work, he babysat practically all of the grandchildren. His daycare provided free meals, free laundry, free baths, and an indayon for each child! Because the grandchildren spent their early years with him and with each other, they grew to love him and grew close as cousins.
Papa was a wonderful cook! He made the best (fill in the blank). As the family normally gathered for Sunday lunch, he would spend the previous Thursday and Friday buying ingredients for the meal he would prepare. Knowing each grandchild’s foodie quirk, he would make sure that each child had something to eat. Also, if you shared a certain craving with him, “I haven’t eaten lauya in a while…” Lo and behold, lauya would be for lunch the following week.
In the past couple of years as Papa dealt with the death of Nanang and his weak heart and lungs, he grew steadily weaker. His heart was no longer as strong, and his lungs worked at half-capacity. As he told Mama on more than one occasion, his will was strong, but his body was failing him. On April 30, he was rushed to Straub Hospital where doctors sought to isolate the cause of his increased weakness. They suspected early pneumonia and they treated him for that. He was released to the Villas at Saint Francis on May 4. While there, he received physical therapy to increase his stamina. Visits to his doctors on May 10 were full of good news. And he was scheduled to be released from the Villas the following week. However, on the morning of May 12, he was found unresponsive by the Villas staff. Just minutes earlier, he had been joking around with nurse. Efforts to revive him were not working. When they stopped CPR, his heart would, too. He was taken to Kuakini Hospital. The ER staff was asked to continue working on him until enroute family members arrived. When all the family members got to Kuakini, the ER staff stopped efforts to revive him. The family was allowed to say goodbye while he was still alive. But slowly, Papa’s heart stopped beating and he passed away surrounded by his loved ones.
If the ultimate measure of a man are his deeds, more so than his words, then Papa was surely the best. The best son and brother. Best husband. Best father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His deeds demonstrated his love for Mama and his family. His life lessons of love, humor, faith, and generosity will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace now, Papa. You are strong. No need to worry about oxygen levels and medications. Have fun playing pepito with your worn-down deck of cards - you will always have the winning hand. Cook all
the fabulous foods for Tatang, Nanang, Aunty Merlin, and Aunty Marina. We will love and miss you forever.
Celebration of life services for Papa will be held on Monday, June 18, 2018 at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church (1614 Monte Street Honolulu, HI 96819); visitation from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., with wake service to begin at 6:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held the next day, Tuesday, June 19, 2018 also at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church; visitation from 8:30 – 9:40 a.m., Mass to begin at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow 11:30 a.m. at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.
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