Mr. Mohawk
Dec. 5, 1940 – May 23, 2020
Our beloved friend and lifter, Ray Katayama passed away on Saturday, May 23 at the age of 79. He belonged to group of senior weight lifters called the Pau Hana Pumpers who trained at the CHART Rehabilitation clinic in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ray has been training for 20+ years and competing in WABDL meets for the past eight years.He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and fought it off for years while still continuing to compete. He even lifted in last year’s Worlds while under going treatment. That’s how much he loved it.
The Mohawk Story: While training for his first WABDL meet in 2012, Ray started wearing a beanie. This may not seem weird to some but it’s not common in warm and sunny Hawaii. The beanie finally came off at the state meet. We were shocked, as it’s not common to see someone with a Mohawk, let alone on a 79-year-old man! It’s been there ever since. The color changes every now and then but when it’s football season it’s Green, for this diehard University of Hawaii Warrior fan.
A retired electrician, Ray would often do free electrical work at the clinic, expecting nothing in return and often rejecting any kind of compensation. I remember him sharing a couple of incidents where he bought breakfast for a homeless person sitting outside a restaurant where he had just finished eating. He was asked if he could spare some change. Giving money is a kind gesture in and of itself, but he even sat with them while they ate. That’s the kind of guy he was. Since his passing, some Pumpers have expressed their memories, “What a trouper he was, lifting, competing, never complaining. A real model on living life.” “Will miss his smile, positive ways and Mohawk.” “Missing his positive energy forever.” “Will miss his kindness and generosity forever. Was truly an inspiration and role model for us novice lifters.”
Thank you Gus for WABDL and providing lifting categories for senior lifters. You are doing more for them than you think. Ray was proud of his WABDL world and state records.
Thank you Jocelyn Ronolo, Hawaii’s meet director, for making every senior lifter’s first lifting experience a positive one. The love and aloha, the hugs and kisses, the warmth and acceptance you provide makes them feel part of the Hawaii WABDL ohana. This is why Ray competed every year.
Submitted by:
Dean Kaneshiro
Pau Hana Pumpers