Wayne "Rick" Vasconcellos

Wayne "Rick" Vasconcellos, 71, of 'Aiea, Hawai'i, passed away surrounded by loved ones on July 10, 2025. Rick spent his early years in Kapahulu before his family moved to 'Aiea, the place he would proudly call home for more than 60 years. He attended St. Augustine School from kindergarten through 8th grade, and later graduated from Damien Memorial School, Class of 1972-an accomplishment he always held with pride.
Rick dedicated 53 years to his craft as a tile and marble setter-taking immense pride in the precision and beauty of his work. After his father's retirement, he stepped in to lead the family business, Nan-Cor Tile, ensuring its success for over 20 years. He honored the legacy that came before him while building a strong and respected reputation of his own. Throughout his career, Rick remodeled countless spaces-including condo units at Waikiki Park Heights, a truck stop in Commerce City, Colorado, and a wide range of homes, hotels, schools, businesses, and restaurants across the islands. In the final decade of his career, he played a key role in remodeling numerous Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants throughout the Hawaiian Islands. He also found joy in giving back to the community, helping elementary students at Mid-Pacific Institute create tile mosaic projects that blended creativity with craftsmanship. In the late 90s, Rick also coached football at St. Louis High School, bringing his passion for the game to the sidelines.
A man of quiet strength and genuine character, Rick was known for being friendly, dependable, and deeply devoted to his family. He was the kind of person who showed up-always willing to help, offer guidance, or share a laugh. Rick was so much more than his work. He found joy in life's simple pleasures-playing horseshoes, soft tip darts, Potagee horseshoes, enjoying a drink, singing karaoke, and firing up the grill for a good barbecue. What he loved most though, was sharing those moments with friends and loved ones.
Rick loved traveling to Las Vegas to spend time with his children and grandchildren, creating lasting memories filled with love and laughter. Whether it was celebrating holidays, visiting Disneyland, or simply enjoying family time, those moments meant the world to him. When his grandchildren visited him in Hawai'i, Rick looked forward to taking them to the beach and treating them to shaved ice-cherished times that brought him so much happiness. Being a grandpa was one of his greatest joys.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Therese "Tessie" Vasconcellos; his son Sean Vasconcellos; daughters Denise Vasconcellos and Darci Miller (Ken); and grandchildren Seth (Mercedes), Haylee "Kaohi" (Avery), Harlee "Hoku," Jonah, and Kassidy "Kashy Girl".
He is also survived by his mother Nancy Vasconcellos; siblings Danny (Miki), Herbie, Chris, and Steven (Alison) Vasconcellos; Sandy Nielson (Donald), Elizabeth Perreira (Roland), Correne Sakamoto (Robin), and Cathy Honda; his mother-in-law Theresa Lau; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family who held a special place in his heart.
Rick will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his incredible work ethic, his good humor, and his big heart. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the lessons he shared, and the fond memories we hold dear. His presence will be deeply missed, but the memories he gave us will live on forever in our hearts.