A patriarch of the grassroots spirit of the Lahaina community has passed on to eternal life in God’s Kingdom above.

Bennenido Arcangel left this world at age 91 after lifelong dedication to family, community and country.

Born Aug. 12, 1931, at Pu’ukoli’I in Lahaina, Arcangel lived his entire life here on the West Side. He served as a U.S. Army Reservist and worked as a boiler room supervisor at Pioneer Mill Sugar Plantation in Lahaina until his retirement.

He is survived by brothers Adriano (Rose) Arcangel and Julian (Lyn) Arcangel; sisters Angie (Robert) Jones and Mary (Tom) Pangilian; daughter Orilee Berta Biho; sons Wenzel (Emily) Arcangel and Stacey (Susie) Arcangel; and 22 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Bennenido was predeceased by his parents, Julian and Bernardina Arcangel; brothers David, Joseph, Leonardo and George Arcangel; sisters Florence Montero and Annie Bolor; sons Benjamin, Leroy, Allan and Ian Arcangel; daughter Bernie Arcangel; and his grandson, Michael Arcangel.

Services were held on Friday, March 31, at Norman’s Mortuary. Burial followed at the Maui Memorial Park Cemetery. (By Walter Chihara)