HISAO (HENRY) KUSANO

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HISAO (HENRY) KUSANO It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Henry on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at the Palliative Care Unit of Riverview Health Centre at the age of 88 years. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, he leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Kanako Kaye, of 60 years of marriage; two daughters, Gail Cumming (Blaine) and Pat Hanner (Steve); three sons, Randall (Andi), Donald (Debbie) and Brian (Paulette); eight granddaughters, Mika DuCasse (Patrick), Marla, Marissa, Michelle, Caley, Tera, Kristy and Karly; brother Tokiyoshi (Fred); sister Kirie (Helen) of Toronto; sisters Ayako (Nancy) and Sakaye (Sally) of Dryden, Ontario as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents Kyujiro and Shimae Kusano; sisters Michie Kinoshita and Chieko; brothers Isamu (Sam) and Akira (Duke). Born in Port Hammond, BC (now Maple Ridge) on July 23, 1917 he left school at the age of 14 years to help his father and siblings to work on the strawberry and chicken farms in the summer and logging camp at Indian River in the winter to support the family. In 1942 with the forced evacuation of Japanese Canadians from the west coast during the Second World War he accompanied his family to work on the sugar beet farms in Manitoba. However the earlier hard work years took a toll on his body making it impossible for him to cope with the prairie farm work. Obtaining a doctor's certificate and a permit from the RCMP he was allowed entry into the city of Winnipeg where he obtained employment as a truck driver. This led to a life long involvement in the transportation business. On December 14, 1945 he married Kaye Takenaka sharing a life full of love, laughter and tears blessed with the addition of five wonderful children who fulfilled their dreams of a much wanted family. A man of few words, he nevertheless in his own quiet way loved his children deeply, watching with pride and joy as they in turn went from babies to adults on their journeys through life. He will be deeply missed but we are comforted by the knowledge he is now at rest free from all the pain so bravely endured these many years past. Despite his health problems he was able to enjoy life fully joining friends on a Caribbean cruise, trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, New York, Atlantic City, Florida, the west coast from Vancouver to San Diego, Cancun, Brazil and Argentina. A highlight was a trip to Japan in 1974 when he was invited to accompany his wife, Kaye who went as an interpreter on a Grade 4 school exchange from Grosvenor School, Winnipeg to Miyai Elementary School in Okazaki City near Nagoya. That trip included meeting his wife's new found uncle, aunt and cousins in southern Japan who made the ensuing ten days like a dream. Though unable to participate he still enjoyed sports especially baseball which was all they could play those days. He was so proud of the fact he managed a team of friends and won a district championship. As well, Henry loved gardening spending hours in his backyard on Nichol Avenue and even after moving to their condo, he continued his gardening in the sunroom growing numerous African Violets, tropical plants, etc. A memorial service will be held in Knox United Church, 400 Edmonton St. on Wednesday, January 4 at 2:00 p.m. The family cannot find adequate words of appreciation to thank the doctors, nurses, homecare workers and friends et al who made life comfortable for Henry during the past year. Special thanks to Dr. Angus McGowan who was doctor and friend for almost four decades. Also special thanks from the bottom of our hearts to son-in-law/brother-in-law, Steve who went above and beyond the call of duty, always at our beck and call treating dad with care, compassion, humour, lightening Henry's days over the past years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Henry's memory to the Cancer Care Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E OV9 or to the charity of one's choice. Henry's arrangements have been entrusted to the Family Owned Funeral Chapel of: WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2005