Growing up in the motel business in Hope and Kamloops we learned by example. We learned that you work then play, we learned that reasoning and compromise always had a better outcome and because we could never have summer holidays that family time was precious.
Growing up we never heard of the Internment or the baseball part of Dad’s life. No wonder he could always throw the ball into my glove at home, but I could never catch a ball at school!!
He was always a quiet man but when it came to watching or discussing anything to do with sports it was like a switch had been turned on! He lived for his sports and baseball was his game of choice.
We learned of his Asahi years after Pat Adachi’s book was released. It was then that we learned of his years in East Lillooet and how he was instrumental in bridging the gap between the Japanese and local community.
He was thrilled when Josh Coward suggested the idea of the Shin Asahi and Emiko Ando and her Board of Directors, John Wong and Tomio Fukumura carried the Legacy forward. He was eager to represent his team whenever there was event.
We have Grace Thomson to thank for creating her exhibition, “Levelling the Playing Field”. It travelled across Canada and introduced many people to the Asahi story. In addition, we must thank Mr. Norio Goto’s for telling the Asahi story in Japan with his book “The Story of the Vancouver Asahi – A Legend in Baseball”.
Dad has had the honour of representing the Asahi in many ways with many accolades, the latest being Mayor Sim, proclaiming January 11, 2024, as Asahi Day. He always said “O Ka Ge Sa Ma De” which means “it is thanks to others that I am here” when accepting the awards.
Dad enjoyed his meals, his all-time favourites being hot dogs, French fries and chocolate bars! He wasn’t too fond of sushi, saying that he had it everyday for many years while he was being educated in Japan.
As a family we see him joining and enjoying being with his teammates, cheering them on! He was of the generation that made life much easier for us and for that we will be eternally grateful.
Play ball wherever you are Dad!
A funeral service will be held at the Kamloops Buddhist Temple on October 24th at 1:00PM. A Celebration of Life will be he held at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby on a date to be announced on this site in the near future.
In lieu of flowers or koden please consider donating to one of the following:
Kamloops Buddhist Temple – 361 Poplar St, Kamloops, BC V2B 4B9
Nikkei Museum – 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC V5E 4M7
Asahi Baseball Association – 2712 Trinity St, Vancouver, BC V5K 1E7
or the charity of your choice
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
2 Tributes
Dear Family of Kaye Kaminishi,
sending sincere condolences upon the passing of your remarkable father. Feeling thankful as a Japanese Canadian as the community has benefitted from his commitment to representing the Asahi- conveying character, fair play, honour, resilience, discipline, an amazing work ethic and drive to do one’s best. Best wishes, Judy Hanazawa
My sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved father, Kaye Kaminishi.
I had the honor of getting to know him and your mother Florence through the Kamloops Buddhist Temple.
As I visited the Temple on the occasion of their Obon or special events throughout the last 40+ years it was evident of their deep involvement and dedication to the Temple. But no matter how busy they were, they would always take time to speak to me and genuinely cared for my and my families well being. Perhaps it came from knowing my father (Shigeto Kimura) was also from Hiroshima and your family prewar time in Vancouver or that Florence was an Okanagan Centre gal.
Your father was a wonderful ambassador for the Asahi organization and for any sport or organization that he was involved with. Always unassuming and appreciative. Okagesamade. Namo Amida Butsu