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Obituaries: Year 2008, Last Names A-H

ABE, TOSHIKO ALICE, 85, passed away on May 4, 2008 in Sacramento, California. She was born on October 16, 1922 in Courtland, California. Toshiko is survived by her two step-sons Gordon (Sally) Abe and David (Alice) Abe, grand-daughters Angel, Melissa and Victoria, two brothers, George Masao (Sachi) Hiromoto and Harold (Maizie) Hiromoto, two sisters, Rose Watanabe and Susan (George) Goto and many nieces and nephews and their families. She loved sewing and had a very successful career in the swimsuit industry. In 1975, she moved to Hayward, CA to marry Toshiaki Abe and help raise his two teenage sons. They were married almost 25 years until his death in 2000. She made numerous wedding dresses and gowns for her family and was always in high demand until her health slowed her. She loved the farm life, traveling, and was very active with the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church in Union City, CA. A memorial service will be held for her on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sacramento Buddhist Church, 2401 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818.Alice Abe

Posted May 8, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 8-14, 2008.

CHINA, RON, 75, passed away on June 11, 2008. After graduating from Hilo High School and serving 3 years in the US Army, he earned a bachelor degree in accounting from the University of San Francisco. On August 19,1961 he married the love of his life Mary Tanigawa. Through 47 years of marriage they were inseparable. Ron was proud of his daughter Maile, and his grandchildren Tei and Haley. Ron retired at 55 and loved to golf and play his ukulele. He had a beautiful singing voice and a great sense of humor. Ron is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Maile Vanderford, and his grandchildren Tei and Haley, as well as extended family in Hawaii. A Celebration Of His Life will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 1 p.m. at the JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the JCCCNC. Ron China

Posted June 19, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 19-25, 2008.

DEGUCHI, TAKESHI, 94, long time resident of San Francisco, passed away in Sunnyvale on June 1, 2008. He was born in Sacramento and raised in Japan. He is survived by his wife Shizuye, daughters Phyllis (Richard) Oda and Naomi Guttmann, grandchildren Susan(Jeffery) Stone, Gregory Guttmann, Amy Guttmann, and great grandchildren Matsumi and Hanako Stone. He was a devoted husband and a patient loving father. A memorial will be held at noon, Saturday June 28, 2008 at Lima Family Erickson Funeral Home, 710 Willow Street, San Jose. Takeshi Deguchi

Posted June 26, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 26 - July 2, 2008.

FUKUNAGA, REIKO, 82, passed away peacefully at home on February 19, 2008. She is survived by her daughter Masako Fukunaga, son-in-law Kaz Maniwa, grandson Kenta Maniwa, sister Keiko (Mitsuhara) Watanabe, and brother Minoru Fukunaga in Japan. She was a devoted grandmother who found joy in her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all those she touched. The family will have a private service. The family wishes to thank all of our dear friends who have helped us through our time of grief. Reiko Fukunaga

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

FUJII, KENJI “KAIR,” a lively gentleman peacefully passed away on February 19, 2008 after living a full life of 89 years. Kenji Fujii was born in Ashland, California on March 27, 1918. He was an inventive and resourceful grower of carnations and foliage plants in Hayward, California. His father Rutaro Fujii began a carnation nursery in Oakland, California in 1910. In 1912 he married Katsu Yokobori. The Fujii’s moved to Hayward, California in 1920 to grow carnations at the corner of Soto Road and Orchard Avenue. Kenji and his five sisters; Mary, Sally, Kimiko, Sumiko and Hanako worked in the nursery until the spring of 1942 when they and other families of Japanese descent were evacuated from the West Coast. After internment in Topaz, Utah, the family returned to Hayward and back to the nursery they were forced to leave. Kenji was a progressive flower grower who was able to assist his sisters with their college educations. His sister Kimiko Fujii completed college and joined him in the business. In 1949, Kenji married Allyce Hirabayashi and had two sons. Allyce also worked with Kenji in the nursery. She later became a florist and opened Fujii’s Florist. Kenji’s enthusiasm for the cut flower industry led to his election as president of the American Carnation Society. He was also active in the Northern California Flower Growers Association and the California Flower Market. Many people have come to know Kenji though his work in the Japanese American Citizens League. He was very active in founding the local (San Lorenzo, CA) Eden Township chapter of the JACL and prompted many people to join and support the chapter as well as the National JACL 1000 Club. Both he and his wife Allyce worked with other members to found the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church in Union City, California. He continued to volunteer for church activities until his health prevented him from doing so. Allyce was diagnosed with cancer in 1984. Kenji devoted all his energy to Allyce’s well being until she died at home in 1986. After Allyce’s passing, Kenji became active in the Hayward Historical Society, the local Lions Chapter and traveled to countries which he longed to visit. Skydiving and bungee jumping were his two ways of tempting fate and “staying young.” Kenji is survived by his sons, Walter (Sharon Hemling) Fujii and Victor (Kathy Morimoto) Fujii, with granddaughters, Sarah, Allyson and Laurel. His sister with whom he worked, Kimiko Kitayama resides in Union City. He has one other surviving sister, Sumiko Biderman of McLean, Virginia. The family is very grateful to the staff of the Umenoki Gardens Senior Home 32965 Alvarado Niles Road; Union City, CA 94587. The attention provided to him made his final days ones of tender care and comfort. Contributions to the Umenoki Gardens Senior Home or your favorite charitable organization are encouraged.Kenji Fujii

Posted April 17, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly April 17-24, 2008.

HAMAMOTO, SAKAYE, 90, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2008 in Roseville, California. He was born on March 2, 1917 in Fresno, CA. He was a long time resident in the Placer County area and a successful fruit farmer in the Loomis area for approximately 70 years. He was a graduate of Placer Union High School and a member of the Placer Buddhist Church. Sakaye is survived by his brothers Goichi (Alice) Hamamoto, Yutaka Hamamoto, Max (Sumiye) Hamamoto, Harry (Sally) Hamamoto, George Hamamoto, sisters Toshiko (Muneo) Masaki, sister-in-law Emily Hamamoto, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Gosaichi and Shisuno Hamamoto, brothers Takeshi, Kazuo, Tom, and sisters-in-law Harriet and Kiyoko. He was a kind and caring brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by everyone who knew him. A private Memorial Service was held at his request on Jan. 24 at the Placer Buddhist Church.Sakaye Hamamoto

Posted Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2008.

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.

HASHIMOTO, YAEKO, 90, passed away peacefully at her Castro Valley residence on May 27, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband Hiroshi and two sons Yasuhiko and Noriaki. She is survived by her younger brother Takashi Uchida residing in Japan. She leaves her children, Robert, Frank (Daphne), Linda (Larry Myers), Janet, Janice (widow of Yasuhiko), 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Yaeko’s greatest joy was her family, her dog Tofu, watching NBA basketball, especially the Sacramento Kings, sewing, eating a variety of foods and most of all watching Korean dramas. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. Private funeral services will be held. Donations may be made to the Alameda Buddhist Temple, 2325 Pacific Ave., Alameda, CA 94501. Yaeko Hashimoto

Posted June 5, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 5-11, 2008.

HEDANI, DR. TOKUJI, 91, passed away on April 24, 2008 at California Pacific Medical Center. He was born on December 1, 1916 in San Francisco, California. Tokuji is survived by his son Dean (Melainie) Hedani, daughter Janet (Steven) Yip, and daughter Barbara (Le Roy) Morishita, and all grandchildren and relatives. He was a member of the Golden Gate Optimist Club, Boy Scout Troop 29 Parents Association, JACL SF Chapter, Buddhist Church of San Francisco, and the SF Hiroshima Nikkei Jin Kai. A memorial will be held for him on Saturday, May 10 at noon at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 1881 Pine St., San Francisco, CA 94109.Dr. Tokuji Hedani

Posted May 8, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 8-14, 2008.

HIGAKI, KAZUKO, 89, passed away on April 5, 2008 at the Watsonville Community Hospital in Watsonville, California. She was born in Hilo, Hawaii. Kazuko is survived by her sons Arthur Hiroshi Higaki, John Noboru (Keiko) Higaki and Robert Tetsu Higaki, and grandchildren Yuji Garrett (Aya Kamaya) Higaki, and Kristin Kayo Higaki (husband Benjamin Byon). She was a member of the Watsonville JACL, the San Francisco Urasenke Tanko-Kai, the Watsonville Buddhist Women’s Association and the Watsonville Buddhist Temple. A funeral service will be held for her on Saturday, Apr. 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St., Watsonville, CA 95076.Kazuko Higaki

Posted April 10, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly April 10-16, 2008.

HORITA, TADASHI, 85, passed away on June 8, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. He was born on August 31, 1922. Tadashi is survived by his brothers Hisashi (Yoko) Horita, Sakae (Viola) Horita and Shiro (Marsha) Horita, sister Shigeko Kawabe, nephews Ronald Horita and Glenn (Tina) Horita, and grand nieces Nicole, Jennifer and Lauryn Horita. A private memorial service was held for him on June 16 at Ashley & McMullen. Tadashi Horita

Posted June 19, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 19-25, 2008.

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