Many of our members new Bucky when he provided flowers for the resort and ran flower arranging classes for our members. In the earlier days he was always here a part of the Hualalai Ohana. His partner, Richard, was also known by many members. So, for your knowledge we are sharing his Richard’s obituary.
Richard M. Gouveia, Jr.
Richard “Ricky” M. Gouveia, Jr.
February 11, 1961 – October 30, 2013
Richard “Ricky” M. Gouveia, Jr., 52, beloved life partner of Gene “Bucky” Leslie, loving son of Fanny and Richard M. Gouveia, Sr., and loving brother to sister Richa Chang, died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, October 30.
A fourth generation Hawai‘i Island native, Richard, of Portuguese descent, grew up in the home his great grandfather built in Holualoa some 85 years ago. Following several years in Kailua-Kona, Richard moved back into that home and, together with Bucky, opened and operated one of the Island’s most respected floral businesses, Flowers for Mama, on the historic site in 1989.
A graduate of Konawaena High School and University of Hawaii Hilo, Richard graduated with a degree in business and worked for a number of years in accounting management at the Royal Waikoloa Resort (now the Waikoloa Marriott), Kona Village Resort and Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.
Richard was a gifted individual — a creative artist and a brilliant business person – traits not always found in combination! Fanny recalls, “My Ricky always loved flowers. Walking home from Holualoa Elementary School, he would pick wild flowers and make them into the most beautiful arrangements for me. He was always so kind and gentle with everyone; he was a real people person – he loved making people happy, making people laugh.”
In recent years, Richard developed an absolute passion for feather lei-making. “Through the teachings of his kumu (teacher) Joanne Kahanamoku, Richard became a kumu himself, sharing the art with others,” Bucky says.
A mass will be celebrated in Richard’s honor at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Holualoa (where he served as an altar boy in his youth) on Saturday, November 9. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. with the mass to follow at 10 a.m. The family requests no flowers.
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