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BOARDMAN -- Walter Holokai Jr., 72, passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Boardman, peacefully in the arms of his wife and daughter.
He was born Jan. 1, 1954, to Ethel White-Holokai and Walter Holokai Sr. in Baltimore, Maryland.
Walt was a 1972 graduate of Wilson High School.
A man of many talents, he had various jobs over the years, including Borden's Dairy, Lyden Oil, British Petroleum, and retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation as a construction inspector and union steward. He also briefly owned and operated his own business, Walt's Grooming Salon.
Walt was a pillar of the Boardman community for decades, serving as a deacon and Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, as well as attending two mission trips with the youth group.
He was a talented musician who played the piano, ukulele, harmonica and trombone, but his specialty and true love was the guitar. Walt played in many bands over the years, including the Sons of Freedom in his youth and Mulligan Stew in his later years. He also enjoyed performing at the church.
Walt was also the beloved coach for his daughter Loryn's middle school basketball team. He taught much more than the game, instructing the girls on how to be kind, confident and independent.
In his spare time, Walter enjoyed training and being around dogs, playing tennis, cooking, reading and thrifting for rare vintage items.
His funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Calling hours will begin at 10 a.m., and lunch will be served directly following the service, all at Westminster Presbyterian.
Walt leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Debi Holokai; children, Sarah Holokai, Michael Holokai and Loryn McCartney; son-in-law, Alec McCartney; grandchildren, Sophia Hierro, Gabriel Hierro, Nikki Holokai and Na'Lani Holokai; siblings, Monique (Steve) Kane, Lanileo Melczak and Scott Holokai; and nieces and nephews, Grace Kane, Ethan Kane, John (Tomo) Zenoni, Ben (Britney) Melczak, Trebor (Celeste) Melczak, Nick Holokai and Daniel Holokai.
(special notice)