Ralph Tadashi Kaneshiro

Ralph Tadashi Kaneshiro , 71, of Saint Johns, Florida passed away on July 15, 2025. Born on August 13, 1953 in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was a devoted husband to Charolette "Cher" Kaneshiro until her passing last year.

Our father was humble, hard-working, and dedicated. He spent 35 years, his entire civil service career, with NAVFAC. He started his career as a structural engineer with the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Other positions included Construction Manager with Officer in Charge of Construction Mid-Pacific; Master Planner, Public Works Section Head, Environmental Planning Branch Head, Facilities & Utilities Division Deputy Director, and Deputy Operations Officer with NAVFAC Pacific Division and NAVFAC Europe, a tour with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq; and before relocating to Jacksonville, Fla. where retired from NAVFAC Southeast in 2012 as the Business Manager. He continued working with various contractors supporting NAVFAC through 2020 when he officially retired in Mount Vernon, VA where he and my mom made a wonderful life with friends. They moved back to Florida in 2023 due to declining health.

Though he always shied away from the spotlight, he was loved and remembered for his integrity, intelligence, kindness, and generosity and he left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Although his true passion was serving and helping others, he did enjoy golf, reading, and solving puzzles. He was a lifelong learner and enjoyed reciting the periodic table of elements to me

He is survived by three daughters, Shayna Kaneshiro (spouse Alicia Paterson), Nicole Wilhelm, Brandee Balmilero (spouse Eric Balmilero), six grandchildren, Malia DeMenezes (spouse Kenneth DeMenezes), Maui Wilhelm, Mana Wilhelm, Hailee Balmilero, Kayson Balmilero, Ainslee Balmilero, and one great grandson, Kane DeMenezes.

At his request, there will not be a funeral service.

We humbly request that you share pictures and memories on this page to celebrate his life. We will use the photos and memories to create a memory book for his daughters to treasure.

We find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and the memories we will cherish forever.