Epaminonda "Nonda" Telio
Vendor at the Hilo Farmers Market since 2008

Epaminonda “Nonda” Telio, 77, of Mountain View, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, following a battle with pneumonia. A devoted husband, father, and friend, Nonda will be remembered for his unmatched determination, strong sense of discipline, and deep love of freedom. Nonda grew up during a tumultuous time in Romania’s history. His determination to seek freedom led him to escape the grip of communist persecution and begin a new life in America—a choice that would forever change his family’s destiny. His early life under communist rule shaped his fierce belief in liberty and self-reliance. Guided by courage and faith, he escaped persecution and began a new life in the US where he built a future defined by hard work, devotion, and innovation. Nonda devoted his professional life to architecture, a field in which his creativity and precision thrived. Beyond his career, he nurtured a wide range of passions — from beekeeping and hydroponic farming to stamp collecting, photography, metal detecting, and tuning into shortwave radio. As a young man he found joy in the outdoors through hunting and fishing, and his fondness for classic cars reflected his appreciation for craftsmanship and grace in his golden years. He was a steadfast provider and protector who placed his family above all else. Those who knew him best will remember his inventive spirit, his strength in adversity, and his unwavering pursuit of a better life for those he loved. Nonda is survived by his devoted wife, Santina Telio, and his three sons, Panaiotis, Orestis and Epaminondas Telio as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daria and Vanghele Telio. It was his determination to immigrate to America with his loving wife that gave his sons an opportunity for a better life and fulfilled his promise of a real future away from communism for his children.