The Garden Island
Notice #: 0001275319-01
Funeral Notices


WADE E. COUVILLON III

72, of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed peacefully on March 24, 2020 following an extended illness resulting from complications of heart disease. He was born to Wade and Eleanor Couvillon in New York City and lived the nomadic life of a Navy dependent until his father was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He graduated from St. Louis High School, Class of `65, and then joined the US Marine Corps, serving in combat in Vietnam until he was wounded in the Tet Offensive. When he returned to Hawaii, he met his wife, started a family, and began higher education. He attended Leeward Community College and then UH Manoa where he took a student job at KHET/Hawaii Public Television. It was the beginning of a long and fulfilling career in broadcasting.

He became the crew chief at KHET and later joined commercial companies (KITV & Aloha Hi-Tech Video, and Pacific Focus) before becoming a free-lance videographer working on local and national productions including major sports events for ABC, NBC, CBS and ESPN. Highlights of his broadcast career include Hawaii Public Television’s productions of Damien and Betrayal, the Merrie Monarch Festival, and the 1996 Summer Olympics. Along the way, Wade developed other interests and became a skilled woodworker, an avid golfer (single-digit handicap), an accomplished still photographer, and a cat-lover!

Wade was funny, quick-witted, and a practical joker. He will be missed by his family, TV friends with whom he shared a profession and good times, the Zuttermeister `Ohana who became a big part of his life, and many others whose paths he crossed. He is survived by his wife Pat, daughter Shannon Huggins and her husband Wayne, niece and nephew Jennifer and David Schneider, and his much-loved extended family: Chris Schneider, Randi Schneider & Don Thomas, Bruce Schneider & Claire Kobayashi, Janice Schneider & Bob Darling.

Wade’s family extends heartfelt thanks to the health care professionals at Straub Hospital with a special nod to Dr. Stephen Arnold for his expertise, compassion, and wit (Wade loved it), to the caregivers at the Gallegos Care Home for their well-spring of aloha, kindness, and patience, and to the staff and drivers of the City & County of Honolulu Handi-Van for their cheerful professionalism.

Contributions in Wade’s memory would be welcomed by Hawaii Public Television, Hawaiian Humane Society, and the Thomas Keola Ahsing scholarship fund at the UH Foundation. A memorial celebration will be held at a future date. Stories and reminiscences can be shared at www.borthwickoahu.com. Pat can be reached at 1521 Alexander Street #1706, Honolulu, HI 96822.