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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Nunelon L. Medallon, Filipino community leader, dead at 75

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nunelon L. Medallon, a civic leader and retired chief court interpreter of the Honolulu District Court in Honolulu, died March 7. He was 75.

Medallon was born on Oct. 24, 1927, in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, the Philippines. In 1946, he moved to Hawai'i and six years later he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

During the Korean war, Medallon served as a heavy weapons specialist with the Army's Co. A, First Combat Group, 27th Infantry. He was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.

When he returned to Hawai'i after the war, Medallon got involved in the Filipino community and also worked as a court interpreter. In his 33 years as an interpreter, Medallon was credited with helping many Filipinos, particularly elderly plantation laborers, who did not understand the judicial process. He also provided counseling to Filipinos with limited English proficiency.

State Rep. Felipe "Jun" Abinsay, D-29th (Kalihi, Sand Island), served as treasurer of the O'ahu Filipino Community Council when Medallon was president. Abinsay said Medallon was a humble, quiet man who worked hard and shunned the limelight.

"He wanted to work behind the scenes, but he was very effective and he got results," Abinsay said. "I found him to be a very dedicated man and very concerned about the feelings of other people. That is the legacy that I will never forget when it comes to him sharing his expertise and his knowledge of the issues. And he was always there when people needed help."

Medallon also served as president of Civic Associates, a community group that raised scholarship money for students of Filipino ancestry, and was an officer with the United Filipino Council.

He is survived by his wife, Mila; sons, Rod, Junior, Freddie, and Leo Torda; daughters, Lorraine and Wilhelmina; brothers, Leodegario and Leolito; sisters, Pastora and Naty; and eight grandchildren.

Wake services 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Nu'uanu Mortuary. Mass at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Stephen's Church; internment at 11 a.m. at the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe.