Randy was born in Honolulu on March 22, 1957, growing up in Kalihi and graduating from Farrington High School in 1975 and Kapiolani Community College in the culinary program. He loved working with food and started out running his lunch wagon in Halawa and then his own Hawaiian food restaurant, Aloha Poi Bowl in Moiliili for 11 years. Randy made the best lomi salmon, kalua pig, and laulau. Along the way, he ran the cafeteria in the Liliuokalani Building of the DOE, worked at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room, Sizzler's in Kalihi, and Big City Diner in Kaimuki.
His passion was going to Las Vegas and Reno in which his last trip was last October. Randy was a big sports fan of the University of Hawaii and would attend games when he could.
He is survived by his parents, two sisters, two brothers, and two nephews.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 7, at the Waialae Baptist Church on 21st Avenue. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00, service at 11:00. Internment will be at Hawaiian Memorial Park on another date.
The family has identified the following organizations, should anyone wish to make a donation in Randy's name:
Alzheimer's Association
American Diabetes
University of Hawaii Athletics
"It is with great regret and sadness that I inform everyone that Gyotaku Niu Valley Assistant Restaurant Manager Randy Chee passed away suddenly this past Saturday night, at about 10PM July 17.
He spent his last day working in his usual friendly easy going manner. Near the end of the dinner shift, Randy told the staff he was going to take a short break due to a headache. He went to rest in his car and apparently passed away quietly while resting.
Tony Sato, Willy Okimoto, Shin Tsutsui and I would like everyone to know how much we appreciated Randy’s hard work and dedication. He began working with Gyotaku in September of 2008, bringing with him years of guest service experience from a variety of local restaurants. Randy was always smiling, treating the staff and guests with dignity and respect.
Randy’s premature departure can serve as a reminder to all of us that life is a wonderful and precious gift that should not be taken for granted. We should all live life to its fullest and make every moment and personal encounter
count.
Gyotaku Restaurants are working with Randy’s family to provide information
regarding a memorial service, funeral arrangements, donations and a company sponsored Memorial feature on the home page of www.gyotakuhawaii.com to relay the above information and serve as a web blog to host memorial comments and memories about Randy and his impact on all of us.
We hope that all of you who knew and worked with Randy will take a few moments and share your thoughts and memories about Randy with the rest of us and his family. Thank you all and may God bless the spirit of Randy Chee as he was a blessing to all of us."
-Thomas H. Jones
President, Gyotaku Japanese Restaurants
We invite all of you to share your thoughts and memories of Randy with his friends and family. Please add your comments:
Randy was always cheerful and pleasant to be around! I was really surprised to hear that he had passed away.
ReplyDelete-Jeff
Randy was such a pleasant person and I was sad to hear he had passed. My thoughts are with his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteJessica
I've never seen Randy without a smile on his face. Be it busy or slow at the restaurant? His smile would prevail. Randy, you're a great person and am I so lucky to have been able to work with you, and to be able to call you friend. Yes..... You will truly be missed!!!
ReplyDeleteBert
Randy was always pleasant and polite when he would call to our business office. We are deeply saddened by his untimely and unexpected passing and our hearts go out to his family and friends. Randy will truly be missed!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Randy
ReplyDeleteWe will certainly miss your plethora of SMILES :-)
Willy
Randy was always positive, something I really appreciated. He had a great rapport with guests and staff alike. I will remember fondly the time I got to work with Randy and am greatly saddened by his untimely passing. My sympathy and prayers go out to his family. Randy was a good co-worker and friend. He is missed.
ReplyDeleteErik
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI will miss Randy!
I'm a frequent customer and Randy had always treated me very well.
Kacie
Though my stay in Niu Valley was rather short
ReplyDeleteThe first person that I saw walking through those doors was you Randy. I have a great deal of respect for you because you made my experience at niu valley vividly memorable. I am truly honored to have personally worked with you and although I am now in Sacramento I will always remember you for who you are. A Great Person that is respected and loved by so many. Everyone talk about your smile but I will never forget the way you laugh. You will be greatly missed boss.
Aaron
I had the pleasure of working with Randy back in the mid '80s at Aloha Poi Bowl. That was my first high school job. Randy was always so cheerful & easy-going. He was the BEST boss! I'm glad that I re-connected with him a few years ago at Big City Diner & on facebook just about a month ago. I wish I could've got to see him @ Gyotaku before he passed. I will miss him dearly!
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Ann
Uncle Randy...... I'll never forget all the conversations we had.... Thank you for always being there for my dad!!! I'm am blessed to have known such a GREAT person like you.....I will miss you dearly!
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Thanks to our friend, Vicky (Randy's sister), we had the privilege of knowing this wonderful, sweet man. The times we got together, he always treated us like family. How fortunate we are to have met him.
ReplyDeleteSteve and Olivia
I did not know Randy personally, but just would see him at BCD-Kaimuki at least 1-2 times a week. He provided excellent customer service & always wore a smile on his face. He has been an example many should follow being in the restuarant business. He always made our visit enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteMy prayers will be sent out to his family during this time.
With much Aloha,
Jes
Randy...it's been a year since you left us and it has been the hardest year we had to endure. It just seemed like yesterday that I last spoke to you. I can still hear your laughter and see your smile but the pain I feel is still as strong as a year ago. You had a heart of gold and I will never forget all the things you did for the boys and taking care of mom and dad. We will forever love you, and you will remain in our hearts for all eternity.
ReplyDeleteLove you...
Your Sister Vicky
Two years have gone by Randy. I miss you and wish you were here with us especially in time of greatest need as I could always count on you for strength. Dad misses you and always asks for you..his dementia is getting worse and mom has had her problems lately. We know you are our angel and looking over and protecting all of us. We all miss you so very much. Love you much!
ReplyDeleteVicky