Where do you start speaking about someone that rarely ever spoke about himself? Israel Felix Feliciano, our Daddy, Husband, Grandfather, Son, Brother and Friend was like the trade winds that brought him to the Hawaiian shores...soft, comforting and ever present. A man of little words, he was also a man of great action. He worked hard for his family, did all the things nobody else wanted to do and did it with a sense of grace and obligation. To sum up his life here would be impossible unless you lived it with him. Israel was an extraordinary man with an unrivaled sense of family, humor, strength, commitment, love and compassion.
Israel was born on April 14, 1948 in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. His parents were Taurino Felix and Bernarda Feliciano. As a child his parents moved to Connecticut where he was raised with his ten siblings – Jaime, Harry, Edwin, Noel, Maria, Carmen, Blanca, Linda, Victor and Aly. Growing up, he loved playing baseball and dominoes and spending time with family and friends. He later joined the United States Navy and served in the Vietnam War. He was on the USS Ponchatoula (AD-148) for his entire sea duty and was also stationed in the Philippines and Hawaii. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class and received several awards recognizing his service to his country including the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Israel’s military duty brought him to Hawaii where he met the love of his life Annie Ku’ulei Kanoho. On June 16, 1973 Israel and Annie became husband and wife, exchanging wedding vows at the Pentecostal Faith Assembly in Honolulu, Hawaii. Israel would soon settle into Hawaiian life as a new Father and Husband. They were blessed with four children – two sons, Farrell and Rads and two daughters, Holly and Kam. They were also blessed with eight grandchildren – Alyssa, Keola, Ka’imi, Hiwalani, Azurine, Amber-Jade, Christian and Isaiah.
Israel was exceptionally sympathetic and compassionate when it came to his children. One of his favorite pastimes was time spent with his children; whether it was outside throwing around a ball or inside playing board games or table football, Israel was always looking to create ways to be entertained along with being the entertainer. He loved to dance in the living room with Holly, pick up Kam and spin her around for hours which she loved, go outside to play a game of baseball with Rads or video games with Farrell. It didn't matter what he was doing, if Israel had extra time it was spent with family.
Israel was a Sales and Electronic Appliance Technician. He was incredible with electronics and could fix virtually anything. He was employed at UCR TV and Appliances for 25 years along with working additional side jobs and second jobs as needed. Israel found ways to make sure his family lived comfortably in a challenging and expensive place like Hawaii. It wasn't always easy but he found ways to help his family thrive. He gave unselfishly of himself and put his whole family before even his own wellness, often having to be reminded by his family to take care of himself.
Israel passed away on November 26, 2019 at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, NV. He is survived by his wife, Annie Felix; son Farrell Kanoho; son Radsford Felix; daughter Holly Cordero; and daughter Candi-Ann Ganotisi; brother Jaime Felix, brother Harry Felix, brother Edwin Felix, brother Noel Felix, sister Maria Felix, sister Carmen Baez, sister Blanca Woodward and sister Linda Benedict; granddaughter Alyssa Briana Kanoho, grandson Keola Kaleikaumaka Felix, grandson Ka’imi Kamea’i’omakamae Felix, granddaughter Hiwalani Kuuipo Felix, granddaughter Azurine Akeakamai Ku'ulei Miller, granddaughter Amber-Jade Ku'ualoha Ganotisi, grandson Christian Anthony Cordero and grandson Isaiah Daniel Cordero. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary. Israel will be laid to rest in Southern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.
Israel was incredible, kind and selfless in a way that might not be understood by many but would certainly be understood and appreciated by the people closest to him; he was extremely inspirational. To the casual observer, Israel came off as soft-spoken and unremarkable. But to his closest friends, family and especially his children...he was and still is the most remarkable and inspirational person we know. To fashion our lives after his example would not only be a tribute, it would be a testimony to who he really was. A man that said very little outwardly but whose actions can be emulated to raise his grandchildren and eventually his great grandchildren. On November 26, 2019 Israel Felix Feliciano did not die. On that day, he became immortal but will never be forgotten by the future generations that he will continue to touch with his invisible hand of love.
