Obituary for James E. "Kimo" Dobrancin
James "Kimo" Dobrancin was born in 1945 to Michael and Frances Dobrancin of East Brady, PA. He was a gifted athlete who often led the East Brady Bulldogs High School football team in scoring, earning himself the nickname "Jabo" and many awards, including 'All Conference Defensive Tackle', and newspaper headlines. Voted 'Best Built' by his class, he participated in the high school gym show covered in gold paint - head-to-toe - which still brought a smile to his face many years later. He went on to play football for the Clarion State College Golden Eagles as part of the much-celebrated and undefeated 1966 conference championship team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1968.
After earning his Masters of Arts at Michigan State University in 1971, he moved to Minnesota to raise a family and begin his 40-year career as an elementary school teacher. As a second grade teacher, he earned accolades for developing and administering an innovative and unique mathematics curricula dubbed the "Supertest", which was later studied and emulated by others due to its overwhelming success. In fact, when his second graders were asked what they liked best about second grade, ALL of them said the "Supertest!". He also loved the outdoors and took groups of students on canoe trips to northern Minnesota as well as teaching his own three daughters how to canoe, cross-country ski, and be observant in nature.
Upon retirement, James moved to Molokai, HI and was given the name "Kimo" by his Hawaiian friends. In Hawaii, Kimo lived with the "windows rolled down" by hiking, visiting, and researching the many unique features of his newly-found paradise. He particularly loved showing off to friends and family his less-traveled home island of Molokai, which doesn't even have one stoplight. Most recently, he resided on a postcard-perfect beachside property enjoying daily walks along the coconut tree-dotted shoreline with family and friends.
Kimo passed away on February 12, 2023, at the age of 77 and after a brief illness, surrounded by family and listening to his favorite musical playlists - he loved to sing and dance! He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Frances. He is survived by his partner, Koko; three daughters, Jaslyn, Lesanna, and Dorissa; one sister, Michele; one nephew, Michael; one niece, Michele; and three grandchildren, Talus, Aarav, and Avni. A traditional Hawaiian celebration of Kimo's life, using his own cherished outrigger canoe, will be held.
Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
Farewell to thee, farewell to thee
Until we meet again
After earning his Masters of Arts at Michigan State University in 1971, he moved to Minnesota to raise a family and begin his 40-year career as an elementary school teacher. As a second grade teacher, he earned accolades for developing and administering an innovative and unique mathematics curricula dubbed the "Supertest", which was later studied and emulated by others due to its overwhelming success. In fact, when his second graders were asked what they liked best about second grade, ALL of them said the "Supertest!". He also loved the outdoors and took groups of students on canoe trips to northern Minnesota as well as teaching his own three daughters how to canoe, cross-country ski, and be observant in nature.
Upon retirement, James moved to Molokai, HI and was given the name "Kimo" by his Hawaiian friends. In Hawaii, Kimo lived with the "windows rolled down" by hiking, visiting, and researching the many unique features of his newly-found paradise. He particularly loved showing off to friends and family his less-traveled home island of Molokai, which doesn't even have one stoplight. Most recently, he resided on a postcard-perfect beachside property enjoying daily walks along the coconut tree-dotted shoreline with family and friends.
Kimo passed away on February 12, 2023, at the age of 77 and after a brief illness, surrounded by family and listening to his favorite musical playlists - he loved to sing and dance! He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Frances. He is survived by his partner, Koko; three daughters, Jaslyn, Lesanna, and Dorissa; one sister, Michele; one nephew, Michael; one niece, Michele; and three grandchildren, Talus, Aarav, and Avni. A traditional Hawaiian celebration of Kimo's life, using his own cherished outrigger canoe, will be held.
Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
Farewell to thee, farewell to thee
Until we meet again