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Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. The content is subject to editing to ensure parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.

Norman Blank

Norman Blank, 85, of Pahoa, died Oct. 19, 2017, at his home. Born on July 28, 1932, in The Bronx, he was retired from grout and tile restoration, a member of the New York Life Millionaire Roundtable, and a veteran of the United States Air Force.

A private memorial service will be held. He is survived by wife, Petronila Blank of Pahoa; son, Gregory Blank of New York; brother, Calvin Blank of New York; and sister, Sheila Newman of Florida.

Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.

Irenio Valencia

Irenio “Ab” Valencia, 69, of Volcano, died Oct. 24, 2017, at his home. Born on April 14, 1948, in Honolulu, he was kumu hula of Halau Hula Kalehuaki’eki’eika’iu, a summer school chant and hula instructor for Kamehameha Schools, did training for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Friends Of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and was an occasional teacher at the Volcano Art Center.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

He is survived by wife, Susan Puamae’ole O’Mahoney of Volcano; three brothers, Ernesto (Marilyn) Valencia, Benito (Connie) Valencia Jr., and Vincente Valencia; two sisters, Vivian (Larry) Lowe and Lori Ann (Greg) Doctolero; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.

James Souza

James Wayne Keahi Souza, 48, of Kurtistown, died Oct. 5, 2017, at the Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Hilo.

Private services held.

Survived by father, Benjamin (Emily) Pascual Sr. of Keaau; mother, Myra Souza of Las Vegas; sister, Lina (Ryan) Elaban of Hilo; brother, Benjamin Pascual Jr. of Keaau; a niece, a nephew, numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.