Former territorial lightweight and featherweight boxing champion and Big Island native Aladino Gusman died Jan. 21 at Kapi'olani Medical Center on O'ahu, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported today. He was 78.

Gusman was born in Union Mill, Kohala, on the Big Island and retired as an electrician for the state of Hawai'i, Aloha Stadium.

Gusman worked for the Kohala Sugar Co., and in 1951, won the Territorial Amateur Featherweight boxing championship, and followed up the following year by capturing the lightweight title. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and worked at Pearl Harbor Naval Ship Yard Shop 99, where he was awarded the superior accomplishment award for work on the overhaul of the USS Sargo.

According to friends, "Gusman loved his family and his work." He also coached the Police Activities League boxing team at Halawa Housing.

"In my young days growing up and watching amateur boxing at Hilo Armory, he was my favorite fighter," said former Tribune-Herald sports writer Andy Baclig. "Pound-per-pound, he was the best and most outstanding amateur boxer I witnessed from the Big Island. Every time they held a boxing card in Hilo, I looked forward to watching Gusman, Dickie Wong, Randolph Kim Seu and George Nakaoka, among others, pack Hilo Armory."

A funeral Mass was held today at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in 'Aiea. Burial followed at Mililani Memorial Park.

He is survived by his wife, Grace (Paruginog) Gusman; sons, A. Clarke and Martin (Arlene) Gusman; daughter, Claire Gusman; brothers, Manuel (Rose), Peter, Albert (Fina) and James Gusman; sisters, Rose Hamilton, Shirley (Toto) Santiago and Sylvia (Guy) Guiffria; and two grandchildren.