After a hard-fought battle with colon cancer,

A few years back, Surfline profiled Sumo – chronicling his path from Hawaiian lowlife to Huntington Beach preacher. “I’m a druggie from a little town in Hawaii,” Sato said. “I wanted to be Al Capone. And I was him but then I got toppled. That’s why I had to come here [to HB]. I got a whole new life.”And soon he became a staple within the Huntington Beach surfing and religious communities – his billowing white beard, an emblem of positivity. When he saw local kids struggling, Sumo would step in. “I regulate some of those guys in the dark culture of HB,” Sumo said. “When kids die in this town, they know I’m coming. Yeah, they know me well. And they don’t like me. I got death threats twice already. I say, ‘go ahead!’ Make my job easier. I go to my playground quicker. I’ll be happier [laughs].”From his work within the community to his diehard dedication to the northside pier bowl, Sumo was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame during the 2016 U.S. Open. Before the ceremony, Sumo said: “I hope they aren’t playing a joke on me. Like, is this the award for running over the most people on my longboard on the northside of the pier? But, no, it goes deeper than that. This is for my love of people. It’s like eating humble pie. All these other guys are such great surfers.”But following the news of Sumo’s passing, a handful of those same great surfers celebrated their fallen friend via social media. Surfers like Sunny Garcia, who wrote : “Heaven got another soldier today RIP @sumosato I’m happy your no longer in pain and among the angels. Thoughts and prayers to all his family and friends #FuckCancer Blaine “Sumo” Sato is survived by his wife, his two kids, and everyone in HB and beyond.