George Joseph Sablan passes away at 41

A CNMI soldier died after collapsing during physical training at a U.S. Army camp in Honolulu, Hawaii last Feb. 10.

The death of Sgt. George Joseph Affatica Sablan, fondly known to everybody as Keoki or George in Hawaiian, came as a shock for his entire family on Saipan. He was 41.

“If he was having any symptoms, he apparently didn’t share it with anybody. It was a shock for everyone,” said Keoki’s mother, Janice Affatica Sablan, told Saipan Tribune in an interview at their home yesterday.

Janice Sablan said she received a call about Keoki’s collapse from her niece, who got the information from someone who was in training with her son.

“When we got the call, not only was I stunned; after I hung up, my first thought also was, is this really true?” said Janice Sablan.

Janice Sablan then asked her sister who lives in Hawaii to call the hospital to confirm Keoki’s death.

“I just don’t have words to put in how shocked and stunned not only my husband and I were but the entire family because he never indicated to anybody that he was having any kind of problems,” she said.

Keoki was born on Oct. 23, 1970, and is the second of three children of Janice and former mayor Jose “George Pitu” Camacho Sablan. His brother and sister are Saipan Shipping Co.’s Alex Sablan and Leilani Sablan Matsumoto, who is now based in Japan.

Keoki, who is an alumnus of Marianas High School, is survived by his wife, Consolacion Muna Sablan, and their daughters, 7-year-old Heaven Muna Hocog and 5-year-old Keavonnie Muna Sablan.

Janice Sablan recounted how thrilled her husband was when Keoki joined the military. She felt exactly the opposite because of the dangers of the job.

“He’s willing to die for his country,” Janice Sablan said of her son, who was also proud of his island roots.

Keoki’s tours of duty, Janice Sablan said, were all in Afghanistan and he would describe the beauty of its sky at night and the gorgeous landscapes.

“He was a person who could be going through hell but still admire the beauty of his surroundings as well,” said Janice Sablan. “It was nice to hear that for his sake, he was able to see not just death and destruction but the beauty as well.”

Janice Sablan last saw her son in April and May of last year, when they had a joint celebration of her birthday and Mother’s Day. For those special occasions, she received a nice and easy-to-use digital camera from Keoki.

According to her, Keoki always had a great sense of humor even when he was very young. “He had a way of making us all laugh.”

She added that nobody hugs like Keoki. “He gave such great hugs—not just one-arm hug but he would give you a full body hug with his face on your neck and I’m going to miss that the most,” said Janice Sablan, wiping away tears.

Nowadays, Janice Sablan pictures Keoki with his departed grandparents, aunts, and uncles, telling jokes and sharing a good laugh.

“If I had one last goodbye with him, I think he’ll be hugging me and say, it’s going to be okay, mom,” she added.

Keoki’s brother, Alex Sablan, said they enjoyed doing everything together when they were young, going around a college town in New Hampshire where they spent their early years.

“He was a natural that if you meet him for the first time, it’s as if you’ve known him forever. He was able to carry on conversations with anybody and I really admire him for that. He was always smiling; nothing ever bothered him,” said Alex Sablan.

Keoki’s best friend, Ed Propst, said he had the biggest heart and one of his most admirable qualities was his ability to forgive.

“He will always have a place in our hearts and he will forever live on in our fond memories,” said Propst. “Keoki Sablan lived life to its fullest.”

Since news about his death became known, there was an outpouring of loving messages for Keoki’s family through Facebook, phone calls, and emails from soldiers, their families, and other people around the world who knew their beloved Keoki.

“It’s overwhelming and definitely heartwarming. We feel so grateful to all of them,” said Janice Sablan.

Keoki’s remains will be flown to Saipan on the early morning of Feb. 22. There will be a public viewing on the day of the funeral on Feb. 24. Nightly rosary is offered at 7pm at Mount Carmel Cathedral in Susupe.