MITSUO YAGI

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MITSUO YAGI Peacefully on October 24, 2001 death closed the eyes of Mitsuo Yagi. Mitsuo was predeceased by his father Torasuke Yagi and mother Yoshi Yagi; and a brother Akira Yagi. Left to continue the Yagi tradition in Japan, are brother Yutaka Yagi (Akio) and two sisters, Kazuyo Muraoka and Tamiko Sakata; and sister-in-law Fumiko Yagi. Left to mourn his passing is his beloved wife Tamaye Yagi (nee Furutani) their four daughters, Marion Carmona (Robert) of Houston, Jean Matsuda (Bryan) of Edmonton, Maxine Jego of Edmonton, Linda Funk (Larry) of Vancouver; and son Bryan Yagi (Lisa) of Winnipeg; grandchildren, Dion Carmona (Pam), Lara Carmona, Corine Ryski (Mark), Mie Lee-Steere (Jayeson), Eric and Miyouki Jego, Nathan and Tyler Funk, Jane and Noah Yagi; and three great-grandchildren, Taylor and Cole Ryski and Aiden Lee-Steere. Born January 10, 1915 in Oki-Kamuro, in the prefecture of Yamaguchi-Ken, Japan, Mits came to Vancouver B.C. in 1933. Mitsuo and Tamaye were married in 1938. In 1942 Mits was relocated to a work camp in Jasper, Alberta, while Tamaye and the children, Marion and Jean, were relocated to Tashme internment camp in B.C. In 1943 the family was reunited in Lorette, Manitoba prior to the birth of Maxine. With the wars end, the family moved to Winnipeg where Bryan and Linda were born. Mitsuo worked in a variety of jobs, perfecting what was to become a career as a master craftsman. He was a gentle and quiet man whose phenomenal skills, inventive problem-solving, and infinite artistry, gained him the reputation as the "professor". Those left behind to mourn his passing will always remember this kind and gentle spirit, who believed in the simple pleasures of life, and delighted in the lives of his family. Trying to forget the sickness, keeping busy with work, waiting for family to come. Mitsuo Yagi Mits will be profoundly missed. A family memorial service was held at the Richmond Funeral Chapel on October 27, in Richmond, B.C. A celebration of life will be held in Winnipeg, MB and in Kamuro, Yamaguchi, Japan.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 17, 2001