Tom Rosenthal, 63, passed away on March 8.

The Rosenthal family of Lahaina represents the soulful integrity and fiber of our community. As church administrators, youth sports innovators and frontline workforce leaders, they form the grassroots core that defines the aloha of the West Side.

You won’t read about them in the newspapers or see their names at the top of business logos, but ask any longtime Lahaina local resident about the Rosenthals, and you’re sure to get a smile and a heartfelt “Yes!”

Maria Lanakila Catholic Church was full of them last week as the community paid its condolences to the family in the passing of Tom Rosenthal, 63, who left this Earth for his eternal home on March 8.

The Rosenthals came to Maui from Minnesota in 1973 and over the next 45 years personified the virtue of family life, community contribution and propagating the love and warmth of Lahaina. Tom married the former Anna Secretario, and together they raised two children.

He worked as a bartender at the Royal Lahaina Resort for decades, and his gregarious personality (a common trait among all of the Rosenthals) drew hundreds of Maui visitors to frequent the Kaanapali “Cheers” year in and year out. It is said that Tom created the now famous tropical libation known as the “Lava Flow.”

It is with sincere aloha that the Lahaina community sends its condolences to the Rosenthal ohana, including wife Anna Rosenthal; daughter Malia (Victor) Rosenthal-Akauola; son Christian (Tiffany) Rosenthal; parents Myron “Red” Rosenthal and Ione Rosenthal; siblings Don (Phyllis) Rosenthal, Mark (Laura) Rosenthal, Peggy Rosenthal-Balisco, Mary Rosenthal and Michele Rosenthal; and grandchildren Laka Rosenthal, Rylee Rosenthal, Charles Kahunanui III, Peyton Rosenthal, Kenzi Rosenthal, Semi Thomas Akauola and Tominika Akauola.

Tom Rosenthal, may the Lord’s peace be with you always.