Hundreds attend funeral of late mayor Donald Flores

The late Saipan mayor Donald Glenn Pangelinan Flores was accorded state honors during a funeral held yesterday morning at the Mount Carmel Cathedral.

Nearly a thousand people attended Flores’ funeral that included family and community members, government officials, and friends.

Cecilia Flores, center, widow of the late Saipan mayor Donald Glen P. Flores, is flanked by her grandchildren as the late mayor’s coffin is being escorted out of the Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Kanoa to the cemetery after a state funeral yesterday. (Haidee V. Eugenio)

Gov. Eloy S. Inos ordered the rendering of state honors for Flores because he was serving his term of office at the time of his death. That meant draping the CNMI flag on Flores’ coffin by seven of the Department of Pubic Safety funeral detail.

It was not, however, a state funeral but a traditional Christian burial, as requested by the late mayor’s family.

After the Mass, everyone started heading for the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery for the burial.

Flores’ special adviser, Henry Hofschneider, said he was thankful to the community and friends for coming out and supporting the family of Flores.

“The mayor touched people’s lives in so many different ways and he is most thankful to his employees,” Hofschneider said.

Flores was making a re-election bid this November when he succumbed to a massive stroke on June 2, 2014.

James Cabrera, chairman of the Committee-to-Elect Flores, described the late mayor as a great leader and in fact drew a lot of support during his fundraising. “Unfortunately, we are in the process of reorganizing the committee and announcing a candidate in Flores’ place,” he said.

The late mayor’s wife, Cecilia, told Saipan Tribune that their family is very thankful to all the support they’ve received.

“Words are not enough to express my gratitude to the support their love and their prayers in this time when I am grieving and the family is too for his passing. I hope they will continue to remember him in their prayers and to continue his vision to keep our island clean,” she said.

The late mayor’s brother, Jerry Kintol, also gave thanks to the community for attending the funeral.

“I also want to thank Marian Tudela for keeping the staff because without them the success of Donald would’ve been harder and we want to thank the public for all their help and support,” Kintol said.

Marian Tudela has been appointed to finish Flores’ term as mayor of Saipan. She had promised to retain all of Flores’ staff.

Kintol’s brother-in-law, Santiago Tudela, told Saipan Tribune that he also wants to thank the community and appreciates their support and for attending the funeral.

Kintol also noted that Flores “flowered” the island and that was one of the plans to beautify the island and help the community.