Obituary of Dave Kazuki Nakano

It is with great sadness but with deep gratitude for his life that the family of Dave Kazuki Nakano, of Trumbull, CT announce his unexpected passing in Nagahama, Shiga Japan due to an accidental drowning in an onsen (Japanese hot spring). He was traveling with family and this was the first vacation that his mother and four siblings shared together. He was the beloved husband of Debra, father to Jessica and Matthew, father-in-law to Erica and soon to be father-in-law to Zach, son of Edward Susumu and Kazuko, brother to Kathy, Jane, Paul and Richard, brother-in-law to Edmund Farm, Diane and Chris Crabtree, Denise and John Peters, and Lynn Nakano, and uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Edward and in-laws David and Donna Kellough and brother-in-law Daniel Kellough, grand-parents and many aunties and uncles. Dave was born May 27, 1957 on a very stormy night in Kohala, Hawaii. He is a graduate of Kaimuki High School, and graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii, in Honolulu, HI. He began his life long career of 40 plus years with Hyatt Hotels at Hyatt Regency Waikiki. He then worked at Hyatt Regency Maui, moved to the "mainland" and opened Grand Hyatt Washington where he met his wife, Debbie as well as many lifetime friends. Dave and Debbie were married at the Kahala Hotel, in Honolulu. They welcomed their first child Jessica Kazuko, when they lived in Alexandria, VA before relocating to Maui for Dave's work at The Grand Wailea Hotel. Very soon after, they welcomed their second child Matthew David Susumu. Not long after that, they relocated to New York and Dave began his 24 years as IT Director for Grand Hyatt New York, commuting to NYC every day from their home in Trumbull. He made many friends and kept in contact with them over the years. We were surprised to learn from Dave that he had developed a friendship with a small group of his fellow commuters, and they would all chat towards the end of the arrival to Grand Central as well as celebrate special occasions. Dave then relocated to Hyatt Regency Waikiki where Dave and Debbie were planning to retire. He enjoyed working with all the staff there and was happy to see many familiar faces, as well as making new friendships with the staff in the engineering department. Unfortunately, our world was faced with a global pandemic and those plans changed and Dave returned to Trumbull, CT. Dave started a part-time job at Tashua Knolls Golf Course where he loved working with all of the staff as well as golfing. When it became safe again, Dave accepted a temporary position at Hyatt Regency Maui which was supposed to be a few months but turned into 4 years. Even though the distance was challenging for Dave and Debbie, their love and trust for each other enabled them to continue to have a very happy marriage. They enjoyed each other's company many times with Debbie traveling to Maui for vacation and Dave traveling back to CT to take care of his home or according to Dave, "clean and do yard work". He retired in October 2025 after 40 plus years with Hyatt Hotels. He had a very strong work ethic and valued all of his colleagues where he worked. He was the most touched by his Ohana at Hyatt Regency Maui where they became his family as his wife and children were so far away. He enjoyed working with everyone at Hyatt Regency Maui, where he was valued and respected. Dave's pride and joy were his two children, Jessica and Matthew. His love for sports was instilled into his children and he loved coaching not only his children, but also other children even though they had to hear his stories about his playing days. He coached Trumbull Recreation Basketball, Trumbull Little League, Trumbull Babe Ruth and Trumbull Pop Warner Football. Football was his passion so he continued to coach Trumbull Pop Warner and volunteer numerous hours even after his children graduated high school. He also volunteered for Trumbull Touchdown Club and Trumbull Diamond Club and enjoyed supporting these clubs and other events at Trumbull High School. Dave also loved golfing and after relocating to Maui he started golfing every weekend. The staff at Kaanapali Golf Course always took good care of him. Dave had many passions and always claimed he was the "Best" at grilling, smoking meats, and cooking dinner. He had a love for single malt scotch and his favorite was The Yamazaki 12 year, a single malt Japanese Whiskey. He loved his New York Yankees and Ohio State Buckeyes. He was also a fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He took great pride in his home and was always working in the yard or doing inside projects. He even started baking and baked Christmas cookies for his CT family and his Hyatt Regency Maui family. Dave and Debbie enjoyed traveling together and were able to visit Japan several times, Germany, Austria, Washington, D.C., Ohio, Florida and a few Caribbean islands on a cruise. They had trips planned for California, Alaska, Scotland, Italy and Ireland. He was looking forward to Jessica and Zach's upcoming wedding and since Matthew and Erica were recently married, he was excited about the thought of grandchildren that he could babysit and coach. He hoped to have many grandchildren from both of his children. Dave leaves behind a legacy through his children, who will continue to carry forward his values, culture, ambition, and tireless work ethic. Dave will be deeply missed by his family and friends. The love that he had for all of us will be with us forever and always. The family of Dave Nakano wishes to express their heartfelt thanks for the love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. We are also very grateful and appreciative of all who have sent cards, text messages, phone calls, flowers, meals, special treats, and sympathy gifts. We extend our sincere gratitude to Alex Lagana with Funeral Support Services, Co. LTD. Tokyo, Japan for making all the arrangements to get Dave home to us in CT. We are also appreciative of all the support from Abriola Funeral Home over the past few weeks with the arrangements for Dave's Memorial Services. Friends are welcome to greet us on Friday March 27, 2026 from 4 – 7 P.M. at the funeral home and also the Memorial Service on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com. Interment will be held privately in Honolulu, Hawaii at a later date.