Father Robert da Ponte worked in Hawaii, San Diego, L. America

Maui-born Father Robert da Ponte, a retired diocesan priest ordained 41 years ago, died March 24, in San Diego, Calif., where he had lived for several years. He was 70.

His memorial Mass was celebrated March 30 at St. Joseph Cathedral in San Diego. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, San Diego.

Father da Ponte was born on Feb. 15, 1935 in Puunene, Maui, to Mr. And Mrs. John da Ponte. Raised on Oahu, he studied at St. Anthony Orphanage and St. Anthony School, Kalihi, St. Theresa School, Kalihi and St. Louis College.

After graduation, he volunteered for the Army Airborne and was stationed in Germany in 1954. A Korean War veteran and former paratrooper, he served with the 11th Airborne as a medic and chaplain’s assistant.

After his tour, he entered the diocesan seminary in San Diego.

He was ordained for the Diocese of San Diego in 1964 and after serving in several parishes there, returned to Hawaii. He was incardinated in the Diocese of Honolulu in September 1976.

He served in a number of assignments in Honolulu including Our Lady of Peace Cathedral and St. Theresa Church.

He also spent a number of years in Latin America with the St. James Missionary Society. In July 1998, he retired from full-time priestly ministry residing first in Texas and then California.

He is survived by his brother, John da Ponte of Tucson, Ariz., and sisters Anita Cordeiro of Minden, Nev., and Mary Cabral of Prescott Valley, Ariz.

Donations may be sent to Sisters of Sacred Hearts, c/o St. Anthony’s Home, 3351 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819; or Society for the Propagation of the Faith, P.O. Box 711011, San Diego, CA 92171-1011.