NikkeiWest--Northern California Japanese American Newspaper

Richard Y. Kuwaye, resident of San Jose, born March 26, 1933 in Waihawa, Hawaii. At rest May 25 in San Jose. Richard is survived by his loving wife Fumiko, and children David and Kathy. Also survived by his sisters Helen Yamaguchi, Frances Sakoki, Judy Tanaka, and his brothers Larry and Tommy. He worked for Eimac, Varian, and C.P.I. Richard was a very kind man who was dedicated to his family.

Betty Fujiko Nakahara, resident of Berkeley, passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes at her home the morning of June 14, at the age of 87. Her husband, Harry Yoshito Nakahara, preceded her in death in 1996. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 2, 1923, she became a lifelong resident of California when she married Harry on Feb. 28, 1942. They first lived in Salinas, then involuntarily at the Tule Lake Internment Camp during World War II, before settling in Berkeley in 1947. Betty was devoted to and proud of her children, Martin (Charlene Olsen) of Berkeley, Vernon (Noel Walsh) of Oakland, Naomi (David B. Henry) of Sacramento, and Chester (Megan Oliver) of Piedmont, who will forever remember her for her loyalty, her lessons in life, and her firm, guiding hand. She will be remembered with deep affection by her nine grandchildren: Kevin (Lynsea), Kimberly (Jim Erickson), Sean (Marisa), Daniel (Nada) of Albany; Molly of Grass Valley, Brendan of Oakland, James of Oakland; Skyler and Brynn (David) of Sacramento, and four great grandchildren: Riley and Trevor Erickson, Oliver Nakahara and Marcelio Jimenez. Her family owes much of their personal accomplishments and professional successes to her unwavering faith, patience, and love in them. Her legacy as a member of the community was multifaceted. Betty was a dedicated and practicing member of the Berkeley Buddhist Church, giving her time for 50+ years to assist in its operation and to maintain its traditions. We will remember her as a person of faith who accepted and lived the Buddhist way of life.

Joseph Saito was born in Vacaville on Nov. 10, 1921 to the late Chozo and Haru Saito and died on June 17, at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his brother, Mako Saito and his sister, Lily Yamamoto. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pat Shitama Saito; his sister, Charlotte Doi (Steve) and numerous nieces and nephews. Joseph attended the University of California at Davis when World War II broke out and was sent to the internment camp in Gila, AZ. From there he went to Columbus, Ohio, and then to Chicago where he continued his education at Roosevelt College and the University of Chicago. He recently received an honorary degree from UC Davis. He returned to Sacramento in 1950. He then started his career as a Microbiologist at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and retired in 1985. While he was at UC Davis, he was invited by the Italian Government to be a guest worker at the University for Foreign Students in Perugia, Italy. Joseph was a charter member of the Sacramento Senator Lions Club. He was club secretary for 47 years and active in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program. He was a founding member of MD-4 Youth Exchange Foundation and was a special advisor to 5 of 8 multiple districts Youth Exchange Committees of Japan. He and his wife hosted students from Japan through the exchange program and have many “surrogate” children in Japan and one in London. In 1978, Joseph received the California Teacher’s Association Gold Award for his work with youths and in 1980 and received the UCD Citation of Excellence. He was a recipient of three Lions International Presidents’ Medals. Joseph was an avid fisherman and spent every year salmon fishing in Canada. He loved his garden and spent many hours landscaping and growing fruits and vegetables. In later years, Joseph enjoyed traveling, especially cruising.

Haruko Narita passed away peacefully on June 19, after battling an infection. Haruko was born in Japan. She briefly lived in the Warm Springs area and then settled in Cortez in 1919. She was preceded in death by her husband Saburo Narita; son, Lloyd Narita; daughter, Ada Nose; her parents and three sisters. She is survived by her children, Leona Narita; Ilene (Dave) Sato; Carole Narita; Ken (Cathy) Narita; Gail (Doug) Creighton; Sandra (Scott) Beattie and Ruby Narita. She also leaves behind three sisters, Grace Narita; Mary Eisel and Rose Nakayama. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Midori Nishida passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at the age of 79. She was the sixth child of Kosuke and Kameyo Sasaki. Born in Earlimart, she grew up in the Delano area and was interned with her family at the Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas and then the family was moved to the Rowher Relocation Camp. After the war, the family moved to the Kingsburg area. Midori attended Kingsburg High School and later transferred to Reedley High School and graduated in 1948. She attended beauty school and in 1950 she began working for Lily’s Beauty Salon in Fresno where she continued for 18 years. Midori married Ken Nishida on Nov. 15, 1953, and together they raised their family in Reedley. She started working at Reedley Dental Lab in 1967 until 1985 when she and Ken moved to Hawaii for two years when Ken retired in 1987, they moved back to Reedley. Many thanks to the nurses and doctors of Community Regional Medical Center and California Oncology of the Central Valley. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ken; brothers, Frank, George, and Jimmy Sasaki; and daughter-in-law, Leanne Junell Nishida. Midori is survived by her four children, Lorraine Holm and her husband Don, Larry and his wife Vickie, Philip and Phylis. She is also survived by three sisters, Mary Inouye, Amy Yano, and Shiz Tsutsui; five grandchildren, Greg, Russell, Kendall Holm, Scott and Stacy Nishida; three great-grandchildren; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Nancy Kiyoko Hiromoto, 90, was born on Jan. 8, 1920, in Stockton, Calif., and passed peacefully on June 21. Beloved wife of Harry Hiromoto for 61 years, mother to Stanley, Jane, Naomi (husband Kenneth Mori) and Grandmother to Danielle and Michelle. Loving sister to Shiz, Tom and Jimmy Ojima. Preceded in death by Akio, Mas and Kimiko.

Yasuo Ishida, resident of San Lorenzo, Yas passed away unexpectedly on June 22, at the age of 88. He was a loving life partner and devoted father and grandfather, as well as a caring friend to those who knew him. He was a 78-year resident of San Leandro and San Lorenzo. He is survived by his life partner of 61 years, Sumi and their son, Chris, and his three grandsons Garrett, Colin, and Mason. He will be missed greatly. There will be a “Celebration of His Life” memorial service open to friends and family at: San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church, 615 Lewelling Blvd., San Leandro, CA 94579 Monday, July 12, 2010 at 5pm.

John Hiroshi Otomo passed away peacefully on June 22. He was born in Selma, Calif. on April 24, 1922, where he lived most of his 88 years. Because of his love for engines, he became an auto mechanic in 1949. In 1957, he bought Selma Motor Sales and operated it until 1984. He was a 50-year member of the Lion’s Club. He loved fishing, flea markets, traveling, and attending Fresno State, UCLA and his grandchildrens’ games. John was a charter member of Chi Beta Alpha, Fresno State’s honorary agriculture fraternity. On December 24, 2009, California State University, Fresno awarded him an honorary degree in agronomy because he was forced to quit college in 1942 due to the Japanese internment during WW II. John served in the US Army in Military Intelligence Service and was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Otomo is survived by Elaine, his wife of over 60 years. He has three children, Joan Otomo-Corgel married to Rich Corgel residing in Manhattan Beach, Don Otomo of Fresno and Tom Otomo of South Lake Tahoe. He has three grandchildren, John and Stefanie Corgel and Alexandra Otomo.

Mitsuko Gill, 81, born in Hakodate, Japan, March, 1929 and a longtime resident of Seaside, passed away peacefully on June 24, surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Ted; her son, Edward and his wife, Sharon; her daughters, Janet Sawyer and her husband, Cliff and Christine Nakao and her husband, Eddie. Mitsuko loved making Japanese flower arrangements with her dear friends. Her greatest pleasure came from being with her family especially her seven grandchildren: Michael, Brian, Nicole, Janine, Stephanie, Ryan and Nathan.

Satoru Kagehiro was born on Feb. 22, 1916. Satoru died peacefully in his sleep on June 25 at the age of 94. He is survived by Setsuko (Doi), his wife of 64 years, sons Mike (Karen) and Ron (Mimi), and daughter Laura “Bonz” (Randy Otsuki). Grandchildren: Kevin (Maria) and Trevor (Mickey) Kagehiro, Lorin and Erin Kagehiro, Steven, Kyle, and Traci Otsuki. Great-grandchild: Paige Kagehiro He was predeceased by brothers Goro, Mitsuharu and sister Yoneko Shimizu.

Nobuko Ussery, 73, of Marysville, passed away on June 28.

Helen Hatsumi Hiramatsu, born March 15, 1921, in Winters, Calif.; peacefully passed away June 29 at her home in Winters. Preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Roy, and her eldest son, Ron. Forever remembered and loved by her son, Dennis, and wife, Julie; daughter, Julie; daughter-in-law, Virginia, and granddaughter, Suzanne; sister, Maizie; sister-in-law, Renee; and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved her life on the farm; her family and friends; her trips to Japan; her Buddhist faith; her yoga practice; and the many gifts of each day.

Karen Tomine
Nov. 24, 1946 - July 4, 2010
Karen was born in Sacramento, graduated from Elk Grove High School and California State University, Sacramento. Predeceased by her father James Skinner and mother Avis Nakamoto Skinner, she is survived by her husband Chris, son Paul Sonoda (wife Deborah and children Samantha, Deztany and Brandon), daughter Angela Sonoda Knutson, stepson Dylan Tomine (wife Stacy and children Skyla and Weston), stepson Adrian Tomine (wife Sarah and daughter Nora) and sister Nola (husband Al and children Evan, Elliott and Erica). Karen had a varied career. She served as the Executive Director of the Sacramento County Bar Association, Executive Director of the Sacramento Law Foundation, Director of the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, Director of International and Domestic Relations for the California State Assembly, Principal Consultant to Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Deputy Director of the Office of Small Business Development for the Department of Economic and Business Development, and Legislative Assistant to Assemblymember Floyd Mori. Karen was awarded a grant from the Asia Foundation to present lectures and seminars on California government to governments and universities in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Maylaysia, People’s Republic of China, Singapore and Thailand. Karen has been extensively involved in the local community. She served as co-president of the Florin Japanese American Citizen’s League. She established the chapter’s annual multi-Cultural Forum with Sue Hida, she served as the chapter’s representative to the Sacramento County Old Florin Town Historic Preservation Project, she served as 1st vice chair of CAPITAL (Coalition of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Advocacy and Leadership), president of the Sacramento Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce, she served on the California State Fair Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Committee, the Sacramento Discovery Museum Board of Directors, the KCRA 3 Asian Advisory Board, the Sacramento Economic Development Cabinet, Asian Pacific State Employee’s Association, Chair of the Asian Pacific Americans for Affirmative Action Sacramento Business Committee, Mayor’s appointee and vice-chair of the Sacramento M/WBE Advisory Committee, Assembly Speaker’s appointee to California Department of Transportation Advisory Committee, member of Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Business Roundtable, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Community Advisory Panel, the Sacramento Mediation Center, the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Council for International Visitors, Board of Directors of the Sacramento World Affairs Council, the Sacramento Women’s Business and Professional Network, the Sacramento Women’s Political Network, the Asian Pacific Democratic Club of Sacramento, the Board of Directors of the Jan Ken Po Gakko, Chair of the Asian Legislative Staff Caucus, and the California Democratic State Central Committee. Most recently, Karen was sole proprietor of Tomine Designs and Capitol Outsource with numerous clients throughout California. Karen loved golf and travel and spent two weeks with her husband Chris living in an apartment in Paris just this past summer. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 13, at 12:00 noon, at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento-Betsuin, 2401 Riverside Blvd. (Riverside at ‘’X’’ Street).