Obituary for Isam Togawa
Isamu (Sam) Togawa
Oct. 11, 1927 - May 31, 2022.
Sam passed away peacefully with family at his side on May 31, 2022 at the age of 94 at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.
Sam was born in Webster’s Corners in British Columbia on Oct. 11, 1927 to Hatsu and Kihachi Togawa. In Vancouver for about 10 years before WW2, Min (older brother), Dot and Shiz (younger sisters) and Sam played together, picked berries and dug clams. On Saturdays, all four went to the library to broaden their horizons and on Sundays, they explored Stanley Park.
When WW2 broke out, the family was interned in central B.C. and in later years, Sam recalled those difficult years of hardships and hunger.
After the war ended, the family now with the addition of his youngest sister, Mariko, moved to Schreiber, Ontario in 1946. Sam worked as a Carman for the C.P.R. and in 1950, he relocated to Thunder Bay. Sam was always a hard worker and was meticulous about his work standards. Sam worked hard for the next 40 years and retired in 1986.
Sam was a gentle, quiet, polite man who had an amazing, inquisitive mind that enabled him to fix anything! If the part was broken, he would make the part with whatever he had and the item was fixed-an intelligent, creative mind that we all will miss! From scratch, Sam created Japanese-style long sword blades with matching wooden sheaths as well as many kitchen knives with wooden handles.
Experiencing the internment years, Sam was frugal and repaired everything and he kept everything as they became his treasures. He loved to collect coins, stamps and old radios. During his younger days, he loved fishing for walleyes as well as hunting for partridges. During his latter days, Sam was a master at solving Sudoku, cross-word puzzles, Rubik’s cube etc. After a family meal, he looked forward to playing the card game 31 with Min, Mariko, Gary and Guy.
Lovingly remembered by sister Shiz Faulkner and her family (nephew Richard and niece Pat (John)- Aryn and J.J. ); by sister Mariko Gummeson and her family (nephew Gary (Janis) - Greg and Kate) and nephew Guy); the family of his late sister Dot Okamoto (nephews Rob, Ken, Michael (Cindy) - Justin and Kyle and niece Sandra (Hugh) - Hugh David and Kate); and the family of his late brother Min Togawa (nieces Irene (Gerry), Sylvia, Shannon and families). Sam was so happy to see all the nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews who celebrated with him on his 90th Birthday!
Predeceased by his parents, sister Dot (Art) Okamoto, brother Min (Irene) Togawa and brother-in-law Larry Gummeson.
A family interment at Riverside will take place at a later date. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Oct. 11, 1927 - May 31, 2022.
Sam passed away peacefully with family at his side on May 31, 2022 at the age of 94 at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.
Sam was born in Webster’s Corners in British Columbia on Oct. 11, 1927 to Hatsu and Kihachi Togawa. In Vancouver for about 10 years before WW2, Min (older brother), Dot and Shiz (younger sisters) and Sam played together, picked berries and dug clams. On Saturdays, all four went to the library to broaden their horizons and on Sundays, they explored Stanley Park.
When WW2 broke out, the family was interned in central B.C. and in later years, Sam recalled those difficult years of hardships and hunger.
After the war ended, the family now with the addition of his youngest sister, Mariko, moved to Schreiber, Ontario in 1946. Sam worked as a Carman for the C.P.R. and in 1950, he relocated to Thunder Bay. Sam was always a hard worker and was meticulous about his work standards. Sam worked hard for the next 40 years and retired in 1986.
Sam was a gentle, quiet, polite man who had an amazing, inquisitive mind that enabled him to fix anything! If the part was broken, he would make the part with whatever he had and the item was fixed-an intelligent, creative mind that we all will miss! From scratch, Sam created Japanese-style long sword blades with matching wooden sheaths as well as many kitchen knives with wooden handles.
Experiencing the internment years, Sam was frugal and repaired everything and he kept everything as they became his treasures. He loved to collect coins, stamps and old radios. During his younger days, he loved fishing for walleyes as well as hunting for partridges. During his latter days, Sam was a master at solving Sudoku, cross-word puzzles, Rubik’s cube etc. After a family meal, he looked forward to playing the card game 31 with Min, Mariko, Gary and Guy.
Lovingly remembered by sister Shiz Faulkner and her family (nephew Richard and niece Pat (John)- Aryn and J.J. ); by sister Mariko Gummeson and her family (nephew Gary (Janis) - Greg and Kate) and nephew Guy); the family of his late sister Dot Okamoto (nephews Rob, Ken, Michael (Cindy) - Justin and Kyle and niece Sandra (Hugh) - Hugh David and Kate); and the family of his late brother Min Togawa (nieces Irene (Gerry), Sylvia, Shannon and families). Sam was so happy to see all the nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews who celebrated with him on his 90th Birthday!
Predeceased by his parents, sister Dot (Art) Okamoto, brother Min (Irene) Togawa and brother-in-law Larry Gummeson.
A family interment at Riverside will take place at a later date. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.