TAPS: CWO4 (Ret) George Peter Ashak Passes Away at Age 80

George Peter Ashak, 80, of Kapolei, Hawaii, passed away at home in his sleep on 27 September 2026.

George was born on 26 July 1946, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late George Harold Ashak and Julia (Chesnavich) Ashak. Known as “Butch” to his family growing up, he attended Watertown High School before joining the U.S. Navy in 1964.

George served in the Navy for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1993. During his military career, he worked in naval intelligence, rising through the enlisted ranks to senior chief intelligence specialist (ISCS) before becoming a commissioned chief warrant officer. He eventually reached the rank of chief warrant officer 4 (CWO4) and retired as an intelligence officer.

One of the assignments George remembered most fondly was his time with the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) at Subic Naval Base in the Philippines. He took pride in his work as a naval investigator, and investigations remained an important part of his career for many years.

After retiring from the Navy, George continued his public service career in Hawaii. He worked as an investigator with the State of Hawaii Child Support Enforcement Agency from 1993 to 1995, then as a Special Investigator with the Department of Human Services from 1995 to 1999. From 1999 to 2006, he worked as a Death Investigator with the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office.

In 2006, George joined the Honolulu Police Commission as a Police Commission Investigator and worked there for another 13 years, retiring in 2019. During that time, he also served as Acting Executive Officer. He took pride in his work and believed in treating people fairly, maintaining his integrity, and doing what was right.

George is survived by his wife, Lolita (Ramos) Ashak; his sons, Brian Ashak and his wife, Zylda; Michael Ashak; and Richard Ashak; and his grandchildren, Madison Ashak and Hunter Ashak.

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