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Obituaries: Year 2006, Last Names A-H

AKA, RAYMOND Y., 90, passed away on January 5, 2006 at Manorcare in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, CA. He was born on December 13, 1915 in Hawaii. Aka is survived by his wife, Shizu Aka; brothers David Y. (Mitsue) Aka, Roy Y. (Momoko) Aka and Lee Y. (Alice) Aka; sisters Bernice Hashimoto and Janice (Toki) Okudara; five nephews and four nieces. Aka was a member of the Japanese American Club of Rossmoor, the Northern California Okinawa Kenjin Kai and the Military Intelligence Service of Northern California. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 11 a.m. in the Fireside Room in Rossmoor, 1001 Golden Rain St., Walnut Creek, California, 94595. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the Northern California Military Intelligence Service Association, P.O. Box 3444, Walnut Creek, California, 94598. Raymond Aka

Posted Jan. 12, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Jan. 19, 2006.

DOI, MIYOKO, passed away on November 6, 2006 in Auburn, California. She was born on October 5, 1919 in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Miyoko is survived by her brothers Sam, Ken, Ben and Henry Yamanaka; sister Dixie Ichikawa; daughters Sharon Doi-Okray, Christine Atteberry, Louise Franco and Cecille Castellon; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Sumio Doi, parents Tayemon and Kikuno Yamanaka and sister Saxie Mizota. A celebration of life was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Newcastle District Cemetery, 850 Taylor Rd. in Newcastle, CA. Miyoko Doi

Posted on Nov. 15, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly November 16-22, 2006.

DOI, TOYOKO, 64, of San Rafael, California, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2006 after a strong and courageous 13 year battle with cancer. Born in SF and a graduate of Lowell HS and SF State, she was active with her Church, SF and Marin JACL, Marin Nakayoshi Club, CSEA and Sogetsu Ikebana. Her caring and positive spirit will be missed by her family and many friends. Toyoko is survived by her sister Kazuye (Sue) Sumida. She is also survived by her sons Darrell (Grace Chan), Gregory (Kanami Ogiwara), and Clifford (Mi Kyong Kim) and five grandchildren: Thomas, Christopher, Emily, Isaac and Alana. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the Pine United Methodist Church, 426 33rd Ave. in SF. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pine UMC. Toyoko Doi

Posted on Dec. 6, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei TImes Weekly Dec. 7-13, 2006

DOWKE, CARVIN, 78, passed away on October 23, 2006 at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. He was born on February 21, 1928 in Fremont, Calif. He was preceded in death by his brother, Henry. Carvin worked for the Del Monte Company until his retirement at the age of 55. He then moved into the Avenue assisted living on August, 2005 where he enjoyed life with his retiree colleague from the Del Monte Co. and other residents. He is survived by sisters, Nora Takeoka and Mabel Dowke; nephews Gary Takeoka and Jay Dowke (Silvia), Roger (Darlenne) Sekijima and niece Colleen (Herbert) Cheong. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 2, at 2:00 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of S.F., 1881 Pine Street, San Francisco. Carvin Dowke

Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly November 2-8, 2006.

ENDO, FUSAYE LOUISE passed away in her sleep on April 15, 2006. She was born on September 3,1921 in Salinas, Calif. When the war broke out with Japan after December 7, 1941, Endo, with others of Japanese ancestry, were confined behind fences at Salinas Assembly Center before being sent to Poston Relocation Center. After a short stay there, she left camp to work in Chicago. When the war ended in 1945, Endo returned to rejoin her family in San Francisco. She was employed by the American Red Cross in their San Francisco office until her retirement. Endo is survived by her brothers Minoru, Masaru and Shiro and sister Jane Okutsu of Berkeley; nephew Jim Okutsu of Orinda; niece Janice Kinoshita of Los Altos; grand nieces and grand nephews. Because of her protracted illness no services were planned. Many of her friends and people whose lives she touched remember her for her outgoing personality and great sense of humor. That is all she asked. Fusaye Endo

Posted April 25, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly April 27, 2006.

FUJII, MISATO, 92, died of heart failure on June 6, 2006 in San Francisco. She was born in Salinas on July 1, 1913 and, as a child, lived in Japan for ten years before returning to Salinas to make her home. She and her family lived in Monterey for 47 years until she moved to San Francisco in 2004. Mrs. Fujii worked for many years for American Freezer in Monterey. She was a member of the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple and the Monterey Buddhist Women's Association. Mrs. Fujii had many interests including gardening, crocheting, playing Bingo and cards, singing and, in recent years, she enjoyed calligraphy. Mrs. Fujii is survived by her daughter, Yoshiko Hong of Los Alamos, NM; her grandchildren, Keith and Danny Kuwatani, Bill and Bob Fujii and Donna Fujii-Lum and Steven and Sumi Hong and her fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hiroto, in 1992, her son Hiroshi Fujii, in 1998 and her daughter, Amy Kuwatani, in 2004. A memorial service for Mrs. Fujii was held at the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple on Saturday, June 10. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the Paul Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, PO Box 1328, Monterey, 93942 or to the Kimochi Home, 1531 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94109. Misato Fujii

Posted June 12, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 15, 2006.

FUJII, YASUKO, 91, passed away on August 27, 2006 in San Francisco. She was born on September 6, 1914 in Oakland, Calif. Fujii is survived by her daughter, Taeko Chico Fujii. She was a member of Karuta-Kai and the Hamilton Sr. Center. A private service was held at Ashley & McMullen in San Francisco. Yasuko Fujii

Posted on August 29, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2006.

FUJIKAWA, KENJI, 81, entered into rest February 25, 2006. Most recently a 5-year resident of Vacaville, Mr. Fujikawa was formerly a longtime resident of Hercules. He is survived by his loving wife, Irene A. Fujikawa; brothers, Charles, George, and Stanley Fujikawa; sisters, Shizue Fujimura, Emiko Nakano, and Barbara Ikenaga; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11 at Berkeley Higashi Honganji, 1524 Oregon Street, Berkeley. Sunset View Mortuary (510) 525-5111 Kenji Fujikawa

Posted Feb. 27, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 2, 2006.

FUMOTO, TAKASHI, 88, passed away on June 25, 2006. He was born on March 5, 1918 in San Francisco. Fumoto is survived by his daughter Reiko Inokuchi, sons Jiro Fumoto, Tom Fumoto and grandchildren Glen and Vicki Inokuchi. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emiko, in 2003 and son-in-law, Dean Inokuchi, in 2006. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 8 at 10 a.m. at Oak Hill Funeral Home, 300 Curtner Ave. in San Jose.

Posted June 29, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly July 6, 2006.

GAMO, HIDEYA, 82, passed away on September 17, 2006. He was born in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Gamo is survived by his wife Yasko Gamo, daughters Yuriko (Bill) Romer and Kay Gamo and grandson Nikolas Romer. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way in Berkeley. Hideya Gamo

Posted on Oct. 12, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly October 12-18, 2006.

HASHIMOTO, MITSUYE, 89, died on June 4, 2006 in Sunnyvale, Calif. She was born on January 31, 1917 in Burlingame, CA. Upon graduation from Shingu High School in Japan, Mrs. Hashimoto came to San Mateo, CA. In 1937, she married Eiji Hashimoto. They were married for 66 years until his passing in 2003. During WWII, she lived at the Tanforan Assembly Center, Topaz Relocation Center and the Tule Lake Relocation Center until 1945. While at Tule Lake, she became interested in the Japanese arts of shigin (Chinese poetry) and tea ceremony. Returning to the Monterey Peninsula in 1946, Mrs. Hashimoto focused her efforts in the establishment of the Monterey Peninsula Chapter of the Kansui-Ryu Kinyu-Kai and attained Shihan (teacher) Rensui level. She continued to teach in Monterey for 50 years and retired in December 2004. She was also a pioneer in bringing Japanese tea ceremony to the Monterey Peninsula. In 1980, her efforts received approval from Japan for the establishment of the Monterey Chapter of Chado Urasenke Tankokai. On June 29, 1988, she attained Junkyoju Hashimoto Somi (teacher certificate) lvel. On October 16, 2005 at the chapter's 25th anniversary, she was honored as the Chapter Advisor. During the 1950s, she was an active participant in the planning and establishing of the monthly luncheons for U.S. soldiers who were stationed at Fort Ord, CA. These luncheons provided a constructive bridge between the soldiers and the Monterey Peninsula Japanese community. While a member of the Monterey Buddhist Temple, she served as president of the Women's Fujin-Kai Chapter for 19 years. As president, she was an instrumental supporter of the annual Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple obon festivities. Mrs. Mitsuye Hashimoto is survived by her daughter Fumiko (Joe) Kawasaki of Sunnyvale, CA; son Eigoro Hashimoto of Long Beach, Mississippi; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters and one brother. A family service has been held. A memorial service will be held at the Monterey Buddhist Temple on Saturday, July 1 at 2 p.m. Mitsuye Hashimoto

Posted June 20, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 22, 2006.

HASHIMOTO, SUMI, passed away Saturday, September 2, 2006 in Daly City, at 83 years of age. A native of Isleton, and long-time resident of El Cerrito. Survived by her brother, Seizo Hashimoto and his wife, Joy Sumiko; niece, Kimi Harding and her husband, Ray; nephew, Ken Hashimoto and his wife, Starla; and their children; all of San Bruno. Miss Hashimoto worked as an accountant for Koret of California, San Francisco, retired. Preceded in death by her parents, Yasuji and Kiyo Hashimoto. Private family services have already been held; cremation and interment, Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito.
Sunset View Mortuary
(510) 525-5111 Sumi Hashimoto

Posted on Sept. 12, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Sept. 14-20, 2006.

HATADA, TERRY, 70, passed away on December 25, 2005 in Kirkland, Washington. He was born on August 24, 1935 in Lodi, California. Hatada is survived by his son Michael T. Hatada. He was a former president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. The funeral was held on December 31, 2005 at Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Bellevue, Washington. Terry Hatada

Posted Jan. 6, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Jan. 12, 2006.

HAYAMIZU, FUMIO “FRANK,” 90, passed away on January 19, 2006. He was born on October 27, 1915 in California. Hayamizu is survived by his daughter Christine Hayamizu; son Mark Hayamizu; sister-in-law Ruth Yasuda; nieces Kim Yasuda, Margie Fujimoto and Amy Furuta; nephews Rik Yasuda, Samuel Hayamizu, Robert Hayamizu and Thomas Hayamizu and grandniece Vida Loose. He was a member of the San Mateo Gardeners’ Association and the San Mateo Fishing Club. Hayamizu was a resident of San Mateo, Calif. for 60 years. He had a great love of the outdoors, fishing in particular. A private service for family only will be held. Donations may be made to Mission Hospice, Sutter Hospice or charities of the donor’s choice. Fumio Hayamizu

Posted Jan. 23, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Jan. 26, 2006.

HEDANI, FRANCES HARUYE, 83, passed away on August 14, 2006 at C.P.M.C. in San Francisco, Calif. She is survived by her husband Tokuji Hedani, daughters Janet (Steven) Yip and Barbara (Leroy) Morishita, son Dean (Melainie) Hedani, grandchildren and other relatives. Hedani was a member of Satsuki-Kai, Soko Hiroshima Nikkei Jin Kai, S.F. Buddhist Women's Association and S.F. Buddhist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 18 from noon to 5 p.m. at Ashley and McMullen Funeral Home, 6th Ave. & Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. Funeral will be held on Saturday, August 19 at 3 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of S.F., 1881 Pine St. in San Francisco. Frances Hedani

Posted August 16, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Aug. 17-23, 2006.

HIEDA, MINEKAZU JAMES, 57, passed away on July 29, 2006 at the U.C. Medical Center in San Francisco. He was born on August 30, 1948 in Tokyo-to, Japan. Hieda is survived by his wife Loland Aubry, sons Kirk and Toby and sister Mineko Hieda. He was a member of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco. A funeral will be held on Friday, August 4 at 10 a.m. at Ashley & McMullen, 4200 Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. Minekazu Hieda

Posted July 31, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Aug. 3-9, 2006.

HIGASHI, KENZO, 90, passed away on May 6, 2006 at B&B Residential Facilities, Inc. Elderly Care Home. He was born in San Mateo, Calif. Higashi is survived by his wife Etsuko Higashi; sisters-in-law Sayo Esaki of Tiburon, Mitsuko Ogo of San Mateo and May Murata of Corte Madera; nine nephews- and nieces-in-law; 10 great-nephews- and nieces-in-law; two great-great-nephews-in-law; a great-great-niece-in-law; and friend Tsunezou Yonemoto. Higashi was a member of the Kansuiryu Beikoku Kinyu Ginshi Kai and the Sturge Presbyterian Church. A funeral (ceremony service) will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 3 p.m. at Sneider & Sullivan Funeral Home, 977 So. El Camino Real in San Mateo. Kenzo Higashi

Posted May 9, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 11, 2006.

HIRANO, YEMI AMY passed away on June 1, 2006 in San Francisco. Beloved wife of the late Susumu Hirano; devoted stepmother to Kathy (Tilton) Chang and Michael (Mona) Hirano; dear stepgrandmother to Harry Susumu Chang, Ryan Michael Moriki, Justin Brent Satoshi and Tiffany-Mona Miyuki Hirano; loving sister to Hime (Margaret) Yoshinaga and sister-in-law to Sue Matsushita. Also survived by four nieces, two nephews, three grandnieces and three grandnephews. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, July 1 at 11 a.m. at Halsted N. Gray-Carew & English, 1123 Sutter St., SF. Complimentary parking. 415-673-3000. Yemi Hirano

Posted June 23, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 29, 2006.

HIRONAKA, KUNIMI, 85, passed away on March 8, 2006. Hironaka is survived by his wife Rose Kazue, sons David Hironaka and Richard (Lani) Hironaka, daughters Amy Hironaka and Arlene (Darrel) Matsuura, brothers Koji (Toki) Hironaka and Tsutomu (Fumi) Hironaka, sisters Taeko (George) Ogawa and Teruko (Jimmy) Matsui and seven grandchildren. He was a member of the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation, Sacramento JACL, Tsubaki Dance Club, Nisei in Retirement, California State University Sacramento (Japanese American) Archival Collection, McClellan Lunch Club, Nisei Oldtimer's Bowling Club, Sacramento Nisei Bowling League, South Sacramento Tanoshimi Kai, Office of the Consul General of Japan, Parkview Presbyterian Men's Club, Parkview Presbyterian Church, South Sacramento Shinwa Kai, Bocho Doshi Kai and the Sacramento Buddhist Church Betsuin. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 14 at 2 p.m. at the Sacramento Betsuin, 2401 Riverside Blvd. in Sacramento. Kunimi Hironaka

Posted March 13, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 16, 2006.

HIROSE, GEORGE M., 85, passed away on August 23, 2006 in San Francisco. He was born on January 20, 1921 in San Francisco. Hirose is survived by his wife Toshiye (Shimomura) Hirose, daughters Elizabeth Hirose and Laura Hirose Olson, sons Peter (Deborah) Hirose and John Hirose, grandson Arman Hirose-Afshari, sister Motoko Kanzawa and brothers Jack (Kiyo) Hirose, Dr. Frank Hirose and William (May) Hirose. He was preceded in death by his parents, Magotaro and Shigeno Hirose. Hirose was an ordained minister of the United Presbyterian Church (USA). A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 2 at 11 a.m. at Mission Presbyterian Church, 3261-23rd St. (at Capp Street) in San Francisco. George Hirose

Posted on August 28, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei TImes Weekly Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2006

HIROTSU, AYAKO, passed away on November 19, 2006. Born June 7, 1924, in Sacramento, CA. Longtime resident of Isleton, CA and Rio Vista, CA. Longtime employee of Oilwell Materials and Hardware in Rio Vista, CA. Preceded in death by husband Herbert Hirotsu, Aya is survived by son Randy and grandson Darien; son Mike; son Spencer and his wife Debbie; son Dennis, his wife Dale, and granddaughters Katie, Kelsey, and Corinne; and siblings Asa Shintaku, Yoshiko Okamoto, Howard Shintaku, and Richard Shintaku. Aya will be remembered for her unwavering support of her family, her sly humor, a willingness to try anything, and always wearing a smile. Memorial service will be held on January 6, 2007, at 1:00 p.m., at Walnut Grove Buddhist Church. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Aya's name to American Red Cross, Sacramento Sierra Chapter; or Soroptimist International of the Americas. Ayako Hirotsu

Posted on Nov. 28, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei TImes Weekly Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2006

HORIYE, LORIY TADAO, 92, of San Mateo died of lung cancer on May 27, 2006 at 1:20 p.m. at his daughter's home. He is survived by his sons Roger (Chiye) Horiye and Lynn Horiye, daughter JoAnn (Tad) Kato, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, sisters Lilly Nakano and Ayako (Michio) Takasugi and sister-in-law Margaret Horiye. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple. Loriy Horiye

Posted May 30, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 1, 2006.

HOSAKA, GEORGE MASANORI, 82, of Reedley, CA passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. He was laid to rest at the Reedley Cemetery. He was born on March 20, 1924 in San Diego, CA, to the late Sohichi and Misao Hosaka. He was a graduate of San Diego High School. During World War II, Hosaka was interned at Poston, AZ, Camp III and Crystal City, TX. After the war, the family relocated to Reedley, where he proudly farmed his entire life. On May 1, 1955, he was united in marriage to Chiyo Mukai. Hosaka was a member of the Reedley Buddhist Church, JACL, and Nisei Farmer's League and was active in the Boy Scouts of America as an assistant scoutmaster. Hosaka is survived by his son Kirk, son Dave and granddaughter Miya, son Todd and daughter-in-law Layne, sister Aya Yamakoshi, sister Sayo Kubo and her husband Dr. Sumio Kubo and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Chiyo and daughter Laura. George Hosaka

Posted April 21, 2006. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly April 27, 2006.

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