NikkeiWest--Northern California Japanese American Newspaper

Tadashi Kono passed away on Oct. 12. Survived by daughter Cheryl Kono.

Harry T. Suzuki passed away peacefully in San Francisco at UCSF hospital surrounded by his family on Oct. 25. He was born in Pescadero, CA on Oct. 17, 1926. He is survived by his loving wife Lorraine, daughter Joi (Chris) Ninomoto, two grandchildren Nicole and CJ, sisters Midori Satow, Tsuya (Ted) Miyagishima, Yayoi (Andy) Handa, and many nieces and nephews as well as extended family.

William Sadao Kiyasu, M.D. Second child of the late Dr. Kunisada and Sadako Kiyasu, was born at UCSF in 1923. On Nov. 2, after a two-year battle with cancer, he passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side. After graduating Lowell High (1940), he attended UC Berkeley for two years but was forced to leave after the evacuation order of Japanese Americans. With the help of the American Friends, he was welcomed at Grinnell College, Iowa where he graduated in 1944. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1948. He was the first recipient of the NIH Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology under the late Dr. Louis K. Diamond. He took his residency training at Boston Children Hospital and SF General Hospital. He was Lt. Cdr. in Medical Corp, United States Navy stationed in Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland and Yokusuka, Japan. He returned to SF to join the office of his father and his late brother, Dr. Robert Kiyasu. He practiced pediatrics in San Francisco until his retirement in 2002. He was an active teacher at Children’s Hospital (now CPMC) and UCSF where he was distinguished as Clinical Professor of Pediatric Medicine and in retirement, as Professor Emeritus at UCSF. He was the former Vice-Chairman of Dept. of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital. He served as the Chief Pediatrics advisor at Shriners Hospital until they moved to Sacramento. He cherished his lifelong friendships from his childhood, medical school/training and his professional career. The most endearing aspect of his practice was caring for such wonderful patients. His other activities included community service with YMCA as a board member (1964-1968) and World Health Organization. He enjoyed the arts, literature and music especially classical and jazz. He also enjoyed traveling abroad as well as leisure driving in the countryside with his wife. He enjoyed spending his personal time with his late longtime friend over a glass of scotch. He is survived by his wife Kikue of 51 years, daughters - Miriam and Emily (Matthew), sons - Crawford (Salma) and Charles (Mafe), sister and brother-in-law - Yulie and Akira Nose (Maryland), sister-in-law - Lil Kiyasu (New York), grandchildren - Nathaniel, Marina, Sierra and many nephews, nieces and their families.

Harry Hiroyuki Shibata, born on May, 22, 1926 in Los Angeles, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 4 in San Francisco. Harry was an engineer at Lockheed Aerospace for over 25 years. He was also a pilot and his lifelong love of flying, whether airplanes or model airplanes led him upon retirement, to return to school to get an airplane mechanics certificate and go to work for United Airlines. Harry grew up in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles. During WW II he and his family were moved to the relocaton camp at Poston, Arizona. He left camp to attend college and after the war, received a BS in Engineering from the University of Minnesota and an MS in Aeronautical Engineering from Cal Tech. Harry married Masako Takano in 1963. They lived in Southern California and in the Bay Area until her death in 1993. Harry remarried in 1995 to Yuriko Sakurai Moriwaki. Throughout his life, Harry enjoyed flying, classical music, concerts and theater. In their lives together, Harry and Yuri traveled all over the world attending Elder Hostel programs. Harry is survived by his wife, Yuri of San Francisco, his sister, Midori of Redwood City and many nieces, nephews, cousins, stepchildren and grandchildren.

Peggy Y. Fukagai, 94, passed away at home in San Francisco on Nov. 4 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Wife of the late Kozo Fukagai for 51 years. Mother to Sylvia (William) Corrigan and Cynthia (Mike) Sugawara. Grandmother to Filip, Stefanie and Nick Sugawara. Peggy surrounded her life with love of family, friends, pets, art, and music. She sang in numerous functions including the chorus of the light opera performed at Stern Grove. In 1951 she sang at the Opera House for the S.F.Treaty of Peace signing. She formed the Satsuki Kai chorus which continues to this day. Her family is forever grateful for the incredible loving care she received for nearly 11 years from Uinita Puafisi. We will miss Peggy who inspired and nurtured us and showed a loving passion for life.

Emiko Shimada, also known as Mom, Gramcrackers, Grammy, and our favorite old lady. Born July 11, 1929 and passed away Nov. 5. Preceded in death by husband George A. Shimada and son Ned T. Shimada. Survived by daughter Ellen K. Palmer, son-in-law Gregory E. Palmer, granddaughters Misty, Dawn, Mary, April, great granddaughter Micaela, grandson-in-law Paul Berg, sister May Kondo and brother Henry Kihara. A private service will be held for friends and family. Emiko was spirited, generous, loved and will be missed.

Mary Miyako Kakinami peacefully passed away with family at her side on Nov. 7, at the age of 95.  Mary was born in Penryn, Calif. on Feb. 25, 1915. She was preceded in death by her husband Nobuo and son Albert.  She is survived by her sons: Thomas, Roy (Joyce), Stanley (Kyungsuk) and Henry (Georgia); daughters Kathleen (Jim) Mitsumi, and Marianne (Mino) Togami: nine grandsons; one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by brother Abe Watamura and his wife Terry and sister Florence Enomoto (husband John deceased). She was pre-deceased by brothers Nobuo, Masato, and Harry Watamura. Mary is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was a caring person who loved to socialize with people and had a caring relationship with her family. She will be missed by all. A Celebration of Life Service was held at the San Jose Buddhist Church.

Terry Ogata, 70, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 7. Mr. Ogata was born Oct. 22, 1940 in Fukuoka, Japan and resided in Stanislaus County for 40 years. He was self employed and worked in the poultry hatchery industry. He enjoyed photography, playing mahjong, traveling, fishing, and being with his grandchildren. Mr. Ogata is survived by his wife, Kaneko Ogata, his daughter, Yumi Soares, son, Eddie Ogata and four grandchildren.

Victor Tooru Hirose, 92, resident of Santa Clara, WWII Purple Heart recipient, died peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 7. Vic will be missed by his wife Lorraine/Lorry, children Ron (Gail), Vicki (Max), grandchildren Christine, Jeffrey, Scott, and siblings Chester-deceased, Michiko Itatani and Edwin.

Ruby Toshiko Matsuhara was born March 6, 1920 in Elk Grove. She passed away on Nov. 8 at home. She was preceded in death by parents Rikichi and Kuni Masuda, brother George (Janet) Masuda, and sister Mary (Fred) Ouye. She is survived by her husband Howard, sisters Pearl Matsuhara and Amy (James) Miyashima, daughter Caryn Matsuhara-Reynolds, son Glenn (Terry) Matsuhara, grandchildren Rich Katayanagi, Wendy Katayanagi, Jeffrey (Annah) Matsuhara, Alison Matsuhara, and Sarah (Jared) Matsuhara, great-grandchildren Amaya and Reiden, and many nieces and nephews. Ruby had a long career with the State government, mainly with the California State Assembly Rules Committee where she was a well respected and hard-working individual. She was an active leader in numerous civic and community groups, including being president several times of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Nisei Post 8985 VFW and an Elder of Parkview Presbyterian Church. During WWII, because she was a person of Japanese ancestry, she was interned at Tule Lake, CA. Ruby enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, singing in the choir, cooking, and being with her family, which she so dearly loved. She touched the hearts and lives of many people and will be dearly missed by all.

Kazumi Pedro Luis Naganuma passed away on Nov. 9. Kazumi was born July 1, 1928 in Callao, Peru. He is survived by his loving wife, June and son, Jay. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Bill Kikuchi; sister Kiyoka and her husband, Wayne; brother Jimmy and his wife, Nobuko; brother George and brother Tony and his wife, Chiz, Surviving nephews and nieces are Steve and his wife, Janie and their children, Jared and Lauren; Elsie and her husband, Chuck; Joe and his wife, Pauline and their children, Brandon, Brittany and Bailey; Jeff and his wife, Akemi; Grace and her husband, Karl and their daughter, Tamlyn; Denise and her daughter, Kalli; Kyle, Randy and his fiance, Stephanie.

Setsuo Tsuji passed away Nov. 9 of natural causes.  Mr. Tsuji was born in April of 1930 in Sacramento.  Growing up in Japan during WW II gave him a unique view of war, both the futility and valor.  As newlyweds, Setsuo and Yukiko came to the U. S. to pursue their American Dream—first as farm workers, then gardeners, and finally opening a small rose growing operation that his children still operate. Mr. Tsuji was a talented amateur jeweler and stained glass artist.  He enjoyed many pursuits but was particularly fond of throwing the dice in Reno and succeeding with sucker bets!  Horn high you!  His children enjoyed his story-telling and the experiences.  They are grateful for the head start in life he gave. Mr. Tsuji was preceded in death by his wife, Yukiko.  He is survived by his daughter,  Arlene Tsuji; son and daughter-in-law Eugene and Robin Tsuji; grandchildren Jamie, Joshua, and Nathan Tsuji.

Nobuo Yoshimura, resident of Berkeley, passed away at age 90, at home on Nov. 11, surrounded by family, after a valiant fight with esophageal cancer. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 60 years, Miyeko Yoshimura. He leaves four children: Joy Weissman, M.D., Chris, Steve and Frances Yoshimura and son-in-law Ernie Montez. Additionally he is survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as two sisters in Japan and many nieces and nephews. During his lifetime, our father was active in the East Bay Gardeners Association, Hiroshima Kenjinkai and the Berkeley Buddhist Temple on Channing Way in Berkeley. The family wishes to thank the excellent care provided to our father by Drs Darby, Reier, Kyaw and Terashima, as well as the nurses of Sutter VNA and Hospice. A memorial service honoring his life will be held on Jan. 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Temple. Sunset View Mortuary (510) 525-5111.

Takashi Kimoto was born on Oct. 29, 1919, and passed away on Nov. 12, at age 91. He lived in the Fresno area all his life except when he was interned at Gila River, Arizona, and when he served in WWII in the U.S. Army as a member of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat team. He was a member of the VFW Post 8449. He was a lifelong 49er fan, and lived to see his beloved Giants win the World Series. He also enjoyed bowling, fishing and playing poker. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Shizuko Kimoto; his brothers, Ralph Kimoto and John Kimoto. Although he was a quiet man, everyone will miss his presence. He is survived by his two sisters, Chika and Kaz Kimoto and Amy and George Tsuji; his son, Paul Kimoto; daughters, Peggy and Gerry Miyata and Janette and Darryl Wong-Sing; grandchildren, Heather and Renzo Ciccone, Tiffany Kimoto, Lisa and LaQuen Holcomb, Shelly Reyes, Gregory Wongsing, and Jackie Wongsing and great-grandchildren, Allen Holcomb, Erin Feguis, and Lucca Ciccone.

Mitsugu “Mate” Eto died on Nov. 12 in Watsonville from injuries suffered in a fall.  He was 89. Mate was born in San Juan Bautista, CA on Dec. 21, 1920 to  Niichi and Tamaye Eto and was raised in Watsonville.  He served in the U. S. Army as a staff sergeant in the famed  100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II.  After the war, he returned home to work for many years as a ranch foreman for “Bud” Antle and George “Bud” Hobbs.  Mate is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sue Eto; sons David (Dolores) Eto of Watsonville; Robert Eto of Huntington Beach;  Alan (Mary Ann) Eto of South San Francisco; and Steven Eto of Watsonville; daughter Shirley (Ted) Tsudama of Yreka; and three grandchildren  Brett and Keith Tsudama  and  Lindsey Eto.  He is also survived by brother  Wataru Eto of Watsonville; sisters  Hatsuko Imoto of Lindsay,  Ruth Yamamoto of Santa Cruz, and  Barbara Wada of Watsonville.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harry Eto and Tom Eto.

A private memorial service for Takashi “Tak” Sugimoto, age 87, of Parlier, was held on Nov. 13 in Fresno. He was born Nisei, and passed away on Nov. 2, in Selma, California. He was predeceased by his wife, Peaches Momoye. He is survived by his sons, Russell Sugimoto and Dr. Mark Sugimoto and his wife Ginny; daughters, Dr. Gail Sakamoto and her husband Paul, and Sandra Chambers and her husband Joe; grandsons, Michael Sakamoto and Thomas Sugimoto; granddaughters Tricia Sakamoto, Emily Chambers, Melissa Chambers, and Katherine Sugimoto; brother, George Sugimoto; sisters, Lorrie Inouye and Carole Masumoto. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other family members.

George Kunio Inouye, 95, of San Francisco passed away on Nov. 13 at the California Pacific Medical Center. He was born on April 3, 1915 in San Jose. He was affiliated with the Kumamoto Kenjin Kai, Koksei-Ryu Shigin-kai Soku-shibu, the SF Karaoke Club, and the SF Buddhist Church. He is survived by his sons, Tom Inouye and Allen (Esther) Inouye; grandchildren Jeanette (Zach) Niles and Catherine Inouye and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Masayo.

Kenji Hirokawa, 94, of San Diego, died on Nov. 13. He was born to the late Ryutaro and Tomo Hirokawa, Feb. 24, 1916, in Watsonville, CA. Kenji married Kumiko Karen Kato in 1954, and they lived together in San Francisco, CA, before relocating to San Diego in 2004. Kenji was a devoted Christian and Presbyterian his full life. He was an active member of Christ United Presbyterian Church in San Francisco for over 50 years. He was a model citizen and taught by example. He was respected for his honesty, truthfulness, kindness, and hard work. He liked to relax and read. Kenji is survived by his wife and two sons: John Hirokawa, of Saratoga; and Mark Hirokawa, of Poway, CA. He also is survived by four grandchildren.

George S. Yamadera, born May 3, 1922 in Oakland, passed away Nov. 14. Survived by his wife of 64+ years, Miyoko (i.e., Mickey), daughter Karen (Steve) Tredway, and son Richard (Maureen), and proud grandfather to Ryan, Hilary, and Aaron, and great granddaughters Sakari and Kaiya. Interned in Tulelake, 1942; he volunteered to serve in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in 1944 and did his tour of duty in France and Italy. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1957 with a degree in Pharmacy, retiring in 1985 after 27 years as a Pharmacist. An avid pheasant hunter, golfer, and fisherman; he also loved to play poker with friends and try his luck in the casinos.

Cary Kuni Tanihana, born on Aug. 11, 1938 in Auburn, passed away Nov. 14 in Sacramento. Husband of 44 years to wife Aileen; father to sons, David and Brian. He is also survived by his sister, Lillian Kushida and brother-in-law Aki Kushida; and by his brother Chester Tanihana and sister-in-law Patty Tanihana; as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He worked at the headquarters of the Department of Motor Vehicles for 35 years. He was well loved and respected by everyone who knew him.

Iwao Lloyd Jinbo, 99, passed away on Nov. 14 in Redding, California. He is survived by his sister Tae Hoshino, his daughter Sue Ann Takemoto, son-in-law and four grandsons. Interment ceremony at East Lawn Cemetery, 43rd & Folsom Blvd on Dec. 10 at 11 a.m.

Aster Kondo was the beloved husband of Sadame, father of Alan (Lynn), Dennis (Pat), Susan (Larry), Connie (Bob) and Carol (Jim), grandfather of Denise, Kaitlin, Lindsay, Krista and Bret, and brother of Amy (Sam). He was preceded by his sisters Elsie, Fumi and Tomi. Aster also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Aster was a fruit rancher and realtor. One of Aster’s greatest joys was spending time surrounded by his children and grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Loomis on Brace Road at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 4.

George Shizuo Mori was born in Kagoshima, Japan to Chojiro and Sawa Kikunaga. He was the middle of four sisters and two brothers. In 1931, at the age of 20, he immigrated to the US. Early on, he was a farm laborer, and became a gardener in 1937, his lifelong vocation. During World War II, he was interned at Tule Lake, CA. There he met his wife, Nancy Masumi Shimozaki. They were married in Nov., 1944. After the war, they returned to the Lodi area, where he resumed his gardening business. They bought a house in Acampo in 1948, and then in Lodi in 1973. George and Nancy enjoyed fishing, travelling, and family get-togethers. Nancy passed away in 1999. In later years, George was a resident at a care home in Hayward, CA. He passed away peacefully on Nov. 19, under hospice care. We are grateful for the care providers of Kotobuki Homes, and also the hospice workers. George is survived by younger brothers, Nioru and Shigeko, both of Japan. He is also survived by children Sherian and husband Glenn Hamamoto, Berbie and husband David Chu, Penny Mori and husband Rao Chakravartula, Robert Mori and wife Patti. He has eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. George has a large extended family as well.

Betty Sugako Ueda, a lifelong resident of Stockton passed away on Nov. 14. She is survived by a sister, Shizuko Sato, brothers, Hogara Ueda and Jerry Ueda (Sumi) five nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kazuo and Chiyoko Ueda and a sister Kazuko Kurakazu.

Jodie Emiko Yamaguchi, beloved daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on Nov. 17. Jodie graduated from Lincoln High School in 1999, and was a proud member of the Lincoln High School Marching Band. She attended Delta College, and played in the Stockton Concert Band. She graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in history -- an achievement made remarkable by the fact that she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, dealt with declining physical strength and mobility, and underwent brain surgery, radiation and ongoing chemotherapy -- all while continuing her studies. Her dream was to be a teacher, and she diligently pursued her teaching credential at Chico State University for as long as her health permitted. Her goal was to inspire and teach history to high school students. She is survived by her parents Norma and Robert; her brother Jeffrey and his wife Juhu; her brother Scott and his wife Sasha; her nephew Jackson and nieces Samantha and Sydney.

Robert Hiroyuki Sueda, resident of Los Gatos, passed away on Nov. 17. He was born March 25, 1922 in Auburn, California. After his early years in Hiroshima, Japan, he returned to Auburn, where he graduated high school. He attended U.C. Berkeley, majoring in Engineering and living in the International House until early 1942. He was interned with his family at Tule Lake, and relocated to Boulder, CO where he obtained his BSEE from Univ. of Colorado. He became a civilian employee of the Air Force, working on military radar installations in the Mideast. Following WWII, Robert lived in Auburn and Sacramento. In 1953, he bought a house on Kenneth Avenue, Campbell. He married Annie Kanazawa in March 1956, and they lived in Campbell until 2005, when they moved to Los Gatos to live with their daughter. Robert worked as a consulting engineer in the commercial greenhouse industry, designing and constructing automated environmental control systems throughout California, and in places as far as Alaska and North Africa. Committed to serving God, Robert was a long-time member and lay leader at the San Lorenzo Holiness Church in the 1950s and ‘60s, and the Santa Clara Valley Japanese Christian Church. At the time of his passing, he lived at Cedar Creek Alzheimer & Dementia Care Center in Los Gatos. Robert is survived by his wife Annie, daughter Roberta Hayashi (Kevin) and grandsons, Daniel and Kenny Hayashi of Los Gatos, and daughter Retha Sueda of Ellicott City, MD.