Ben F, Koonooka

Ben F. Koonooka

Ben F. Koonooka was born April 20, 1954 in Gambell, Alaska to Ilene M. and Harold T. Koonooka.

He went to school in Gambell, then went to Bristol Bay Mission School in Aleknagik, AK, where he got baptized in 1964. He went on to high school and graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1973. Afterwards he went to Seward Skill Center in Seward, AK and studied heavy equipment and mechanics for six months. He was a lifelong heavy equipment operator and mechanic in Gambell for City of Gambell, Native Village of Gambell and a few construction projects. When it was whaling season, he was the one pulling up whales to land all these years. 

Ben is survived by brothers Merlin and family; Job and family and Alwayne Koonooka; sisters Rhoda Boolowon and family; Betsy Kotongan and Dorene Holbrooks and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold T. and Ilene M. Koonooka; uncle Walter Toolie; aunts Norma Silook, Jean Pungowiyi, Lilly Apangalook, Sadie Seppilu and Mary Immingan; sisters Ila M. James, Judy Beltz, Marjorie Maldonado and Rachel J. Koonooka, brother Gerard Koonooka, nephews Eldon Boolowon, John Kotongan and Bryant Koonooka and niece Tina Marie Beltz.

The Nome Nugget

PO Box 610
Nome, Alaska 99762
USA

Phone: (907) 443-5235
Fax: (907) 443-5112

www.nomenugget.net

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