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Obituaries: Year 2007, Last Names A-H

AKABANE-FUJINAGA, NORENE SHIZUYE. Born in San Francisco, resident of Berkeley and El Sobrante. Survived by son, Todd Fujinaga, daughter Marsha Jung, granddaughter Misa Nakagawa, grandson Kai Nakagawa, daughter-in-law Debbie Masamori and son-in-law Sweeney Jung. Memorial service on March 3rd at 11:00 am Berkeley Methodist United Church. In lieu of flowers contribution to BMU Church or other organizations. Norene Akabane-Fujinaga

Posted Feb. 26, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 1-7, 2007.

AOKI, TEI, 91, passed away on March 18, 2007 at home. Tei was born on February 21, 1916 in Nakata-machi, Miyagi-ken, Japan. Survived by daughter Toshiko Fukami, son Masahiro (Hisami) Aoki in Japan, granddaughter Sachiko Cabrera, grandson Tomohiko Aoki, brothers, sisters and other relatives. Tei was a member of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco. A funeral will be held on Friday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at Ashley & McMullen, Geary Blvd. at 6th Ave. in San Francisco. Tei Aoki

Posted March 20, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 22-28, 2007.

ARII, SHIGEKO (FUJIMA, ROKUSHIGE), 83, passed away on September 1, 2007 at St. Mary Hospital in San Francisco. She was born on July 7, 1924 in Osaka-fu. Shigeko is survived by her husband Minoru Arii, daughters Alice Naomi (Stanley) Kamiya and Elizabeth Rumi (Jay II) Pinson, grandchildren Lauren Seiko and Sherry Noriko Kamiya and Stephanie and Matthew Pinson, and relatives in Japan, Fusae Sasaki and Kitako Isono. Shigeko was a member of Fujima Rokushige Kai and Sokoji Zen Mission. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. at Sokoji Soto Zen Mission, 1691 Laguna St. in San Francisco. Shigeko Arii Rokushige Fujima

Posted September 14, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly September 13-19.

ASHIZAWA, ROY YOSHIO, 88, passed away peacefully at home on December 20, 2007. He was born on December 16, 1919 in San Francisco, California. He will be deeply missed by Fumi, his wife of 60 years, four daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held.Roy Ashizawa

Posted December 27, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Dec. 27, 2007 - Jan. 2, 2008.

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. She worked as a Teacher and Administrator at Morning Star School and worked for the Marin County Office of Education for over 20 years. Her caring and positive spirit will be missed by her family and many friends. Toyoko was preceded in death by her husband Wesley Doi. She 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 Jan. 4, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Jan. 11-17, 2007.

ENDO, GORO, 88, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2007 in San Ramon. A native of Kanagawa, Japan, and ten-year resident of San Ramon, late of Berkeley. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Tomoko Endo of San Ramon; daughters, Naomi Endo Wilson of Sacramento, and Ann Endo Howell of Ripon; sons, Eugene Endo of Sacramento, and Brian Endo of Tokyo, Japan; sisters, Hana Tachiki of Salt Lake City, Utah, Miyo Shigemoto of Oakland, and Mary Aochi of Hayward; brothers, Hiroshi Endo of Santa Monica, and Hichi Endo of Hawthorne; and seven grandchildren. Mr. Endo was a chef at Larry Blake’s Restaurant, Berkeley, and Providence Hospital, Oakland, retired. Member and past president of both the Oakland Buddhist Church and Japanese American Citizens League, Berkeley; he enjoyed gardening, travel, and spending time with his family. Funeral services have already been held. Private cremation and interment, Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito. Sunset View Mortuary Tel. (510) 525-5111Goro Endo

Posted December 27, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Dec. 27, 2007 - Jan. 2, 2008.

FUJIMOTO, MASAMI, 89, passed away on January 27, 2007 in the nursing home. He is survived by his wife Nobuko, son Chris (Jane) Fujimoto, grandchildren Ted and William Fujimoto and sister-in-law Jean Fujimoto. Masami Fujimoto

Posted Jan. 31, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Feb. 1-7, 2007.

FUJIWARA-NAKASHIMA, HELEN SAKANARI, 88, passed away on October 9, 2007 in Northville, Michigan. She was born on July 26, 1919 in San Francisco, California. In her early twenties, Helen was part of the act known as “The Wongettes” of Andy Wong’s Chinese Skyroom in San Francisco. After WWII, Helen moved to Detroit, Michigan and married George “Fudgie” Fujiwara and raised a family. She loved to swim and continued her passion for cooking, baking, and dancing — performing at JACL functions. Helen found her way into the restaurant arena, and met her second husband, George Nakashima. Helen will be remember as loving, courageous, wise, passionate, philosophical, humorous, and most of all, elegantly beautiful. Helen is survived by her brother George (Nobu) Sakanari, sister Grace Sugawara, daughters Rainy (Norm) Sunamoto, and Tina Murphy, sons Fuji Fujiwara, Ty (Linda) Fujiwara, and Kim (Terri) Fujiwara, and grandchildren Patti Littleson, Lynn (Derek) Gendron, Sunny (Michelle) Sunamoto, Brian Sunamoto, Jesse Fujiwara, Sony Murphy, Kenji Murphy, Chris Fujiwara, Mike Fujiwara, and Stephanie Fujiwara, and great grandchildren Justin Littleson, Natalie Littleson, Sage Gendron, Charlie Gendron, Vinny Gendron, Alexi Gendron, Kylie Sunamoto, Quin Sunamoto, Brianna Fujiwara and Keaton Murphy, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held for her on Saturday, Oct 13, 2007 at the Harry J Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152. Helen Fujiwara

Posted October 18, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly October 18-24, 2007.

FUKAMI, JUNZO, 78, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 28, 2006 after a year-long battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Mitzi and loving father of daughters Dianne (Gerry Nakano) and Jill (Daniel Heitmann). Adored grandfather of Lindsay, Kenichi, Hillary and Koji. He was born and raised in San Francisco, the son of Teizo and Yoko Fukami, and the brother of Sachi, Haru, and the late Paul. During World War II the Fukami family was incarcerated at the Topaz Relocation Center in Utah. After resettlement in Chicago and a stint in the U.S. Army, Junzo returned to the Bay Area where he worked as an auto painter, meeting the love of his life, the former Mitzi Murano, with whom he was happily married for nearly 52 years. Per his wishes, no funeral services were held. Donations in his memory may be made to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) at 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115. Junzo Fukami

Posted Jan. 17, 2007. To be published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Jan. 18-24, 2007.

FUNABIKI, WALTER "WALLY" died peacefully on June 7, 2007 at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco after an arduous struggle with cancer. His wife Kiku, daughter Chiyomi and son-in-law Matthew Pearson were at his side. Wally was born in Mountain View, California on May 16, 1921. While a student at Stanford University in 1942, he and his family were incarcerated at the Heart Mountain, Wyoming Internment Camp. Subsequently, Wally served in the U.S. Army MIS (Military Intelligence Service) for two years. After his discharge he re-entered Stanford and earned a graduate degree in Civil Engineering. Wally sought employment with Pacific Gas and Electric Company and, after 37 years, retired as Manager of Gas Construction, a major department with the company. He earned the respect and admiration of many employees he worked with through those years. Fishing was his passion. Every year he eagerly looked forward to the opening of salmon season. He often came home with a successful catch, which he generously shared with relatives and friends. Wally is survived by his wife; his daughter and her husband; four sisters, Frances Nagayama, Aya Hyde, Florence Itano and Claire and her husband Donald Chambers; eight nieces and five nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy, a brother, Mason, and a nephew, Lance. A private gathering will be held on June 16. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Kimochi, Inc. Wally Funabiki

Posted June 14, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 14-20, 2007.

HANDA, FRANK FUKUMI, 83, passed away on November 11, 2007 at CPMC Pacific Campus in San Francisco, CA. He was born on May 22, 1924. Frank is survived by his wife Constance Tsuneko Handa, and daughter Flipse Machiko Handa. He was a member of the SF J.A.C.L., SF Nissei Bowling League, and the Buddhist church of SF. A memorial service will be held for him on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1:00 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of SF, 1881 Pine St. San Francisco, CA 94109. Frank Handa

Posted December 6, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly December 6-12, 2007.

HANDA, TADAO, 92, passed away on February 18, 2008 in San Jose, California. His wife Toshie Handa, daughter Naomi, and son Thom will miss him very much. A private memorial service will be held at the Sacramento Betsuin Church. Remembrances can be sent to the Sacramento Betsuin Church Building Fund (2401 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818) in the name of “Tadao Handa.” Tadao Handa

Posted February 28, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Feb. 28 - Mar. 5, 2008.

HATAKEYAMA, YONEO, 90, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2007 after 28 fulfilling years in Morgan Hill, California. He was born February 19, 1917 in Blanco, CA. Shortly after Yoneo’s birth, his father, Seitaro, after surviving two wars in Japan, was killed in an auto accident. His mother, Osame, decided to bring the family back to Japan. At the age of 16, Yoneo returned to the Salinas Valley. During WWII, he enlisted in the US Army where he learned his trade as a dental lab tech. He married Betsy Hayashi on Oct. 16, 1946, after she was released from Internment Camp at Poston Arizona. They settled in Fresno for 34 years. Yoneo is survived by his wife Betsy, children Dr. Jon (Shelley) Hatakeyama — their children Evan, Vanessa, Brent, and Vincent. Steven (Becky) Hatakeyama — their children Bryce and Stevie, and daughter Mia (Glenn) Hatakeyama Rivera. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a remembrance and celebration for Yoneo on Nov. 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center Annex Bldg. 16450 Murphy Ave in Morgan Hill.Yoneo Hatakeyama

Posted November 8, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly November 8-14, 2007.

HATAMIYA, FRANK ICHIRO. Born December 18, 1921 to Shiro & Kyono Hatamiya. Passed away February 11, 2007 at his residence in Live Oak. Lifelong resident of Sutter County, he was one of five children, born to first generation Japanese-American immigrants. He was evacuated during World War II with 120,000 other Japanese-Americans to Tulelake. Frank was raised in Live Oak, graduated from Encinal grammar school and Live Oak High School. His college degree spanned three colleges during internment, UC Davis, Colorado A & M and Utah State A-C. Met Masaye “Mason” Nakamura during camp and married in 1945. She passed away in 1998. Survived by a son, Frank Shiro Hatamiya, daughter-in-law Michiko and two grandchildren. He is survived by a sister Grace Uratsu of Los Angeles and a sister Mary Harada of Yuba City. Pre-deceased brothers John and Tom. Frank was a veteran of World War II and was a part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). After the war he resumed farming in Live Oak raising peaches, prunes and walnuts. He was a member of Diamond Walnut Growers Association, Sunsweet Growers and Pacific Coast Producers where he was a board member 9 years. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau. His civic duties included serving as a Board of Trustee for the Live Oak Unified School District and a board member of the Butte Water District. He also served on the Sutter County Superior Court and the Flood Patrol Committee District #9. He was a charter member of the Live Oak Lions Club and was on the Agricultural Building Relocation Committee who moved the building to its present site on Garden Highway. Frank was a member of the Marysville Buddhist Church, Hoyukai and Marysville JACL. His activities included the Sacramento Nikkei Singles, Tsubaki Dance Club and Chinese Thursday Dance Group. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed travel. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday February 18th at the Marysville Buddhist Church at 125 B Street. Services will begin at 1:00 P.M. Graveside services will be private. Frank Hatamiya

Posted Feb. 14, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Feb. 15-21, 2007.

HAYASHIMOTO, YUKIYE, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2007 at Regional Medical Center of San Jose, with her youngest daughter Amy (Brian) LaReau, by her side. Yukiye is survived by her other daughters, Lily Hayashimoto, Helen (Craig) Tagawa; brother Sadao (Miki) Hiyama. Beloved grandmother of Alexandra, Chloe and Tyler Tagawa and her grandpups Nathan and Connor LaReau. A funeral service was held for her on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 North Fifth Street, San Jose. Graveside burial service was held on Monday, October 29, 2007 at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Willow Glen Funeral Chapel serving the family. Yukiye Hayashimoto

Posted November 1, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly November 1-7, 2007.

HIRANO, KIYOSHI MIKE, 87, passed away on December 16, 2007 at his daughter’s home. He was born in Marysville, California. Kiyoshi is survived by his daughter Sophia Hirano (Scott) Kallmann, sons James Mikio (Ayako) Hirano and Patrick Matsuo Hirano, and relative Rev. Tetsunen (Sachiko) Hirota. He was a member of the Stockton JACL, the Hokubei Mainichi News, the Aichi Shinboku Kai and the Stockton Buddhist Temple. A memorial service will be held for him on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stockton Buddhist Temple, 2820 Shimizu Drive, Stockton, CA 95203. Kiyoshi Hirano

Posted December 20, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly December 20-26, 2007.

HORITA, FUMIKO (YAMAGUCHI). Born in Sacramento on May 24, 1926, she passed away on July 23, 2007 at the age of 81. The beloved wife of Wayne; loving mother of Michael Sr., Gail and Mark; cherished grandmother of Gregory, Stephanie, Sienna, Michael Jr. and Kody; dear sister of Misao Iwasaki (Tatsumi) and Yoshiko Pat Okamoto (Tetsuo); also leaves many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed and always remembered in our hearts. She was formerly employed by the DMV for approximately 17 years. Memorial service was held on August 1 at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento. Fumiko Horita

Posted August 3, 2007. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly August 2-8, 2007.