KUNIO BOBBY OKABE

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KUNIO BOBBY OKABE It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Kunio Bob Okabe on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at the Health Sciences Centre. He was 76 years old. Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife Satomi, sons Kevin (Naoko) and Allan (Yuka), and daughter Carolyn. He is also survived by his mother Yoshie and sister Itsuye in Japan. He will also be dearly missed by his two grandchildren Aden and Justin, and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. Bob was born in Vancouver, BC. His family was relocated as part of the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War to a sugar beet farm near Carey, Manitoba in 1941. In 1945, he moved with his family to Japan for 11 years, before returning to Canada in 1956, to settle in Winnipeg with his maternal grandfather. In 1965, he married Satomi in Japan and returned to Winnipeg, working as a carpenter with Suzuki Bros. and the Health Sciences Centre until his retirement. Bob enjoyed an active lifestyle, which included tennis, bowling and golf. He also had a very creative, artistic side which was exhibited in his works of calligraphy, woodwork and paintings. In his retirement, he enjoyed teaching Japanese calligraphy classes and donating works of art to the community. He will always be remembered for his smiling, joking ways , someone that would always shake everyones hand or share a conversation with anyone. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple at 39 Tecumseh Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0J8. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's memory to the Manitoba Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre at 180 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 2J9 or to the Manitoba Buddhist Temple at 39 Tecumseh Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J8. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca. Glen Lawn Funeral Home 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2011