FUJIMOTO – Yoshio (Yosh) Fujimoto passed away in Brooks, AB surrounded by family on January 11, 2023 at the age of 96 years. Yosh was born in Cumberland, BC on January 5,1927, to Takujuro and Haru Fujimoto. He was the fifth oldest in a large family of eleven siblings. The family resided in Royston, BC until 1942, when the events of WW II resulted in the forced evacuation of Japanese Canadians from the coastal shoreline of BC. Under the guidance of their father, Yosh and family would move from the Hasting Park Stockyard internment camp to Raymond, AB to work on a sugar beet farm. A decision, which under the prevailing circumstances would ensure the family could stay intact. Following the end of the War, the family would relocate and in 1947 purchase a farm in Rainier, AB. The farm would operate under the titles T. Fujimoto and sons, Fujimoto Bros., and Fujimoto Farms Ltd. In an unfortunate accident, Yosh would break his leg leaving him unable to work on the farm. This seemingly stroke of bad luck precipitated two fortuitous events. The lengthy healing process allowed him to attend SAIT to study agricultural management. It was during his time at SAIT that he met Miyoko, who he married on June 27, 1959. Following the sale of Fujimoto Farms Ltd. in 1993, Yosh and Miyo retired to Brooks. Yosh enjoyed competition and physical activity which kept him young. He was an avid baseball player, working long hours to finish the farm work so he and his brothers could get to the ball diamond. He played for Rainier, the Brooks Buffalos and their own Monarch team in the very competitive men’s baseball scene during the 1950’s. Yosh started judo as a teenager in Raymond and would later open his own dojo. He started the EID Judo Club (Rainier) in the basement of his farmhouse with 20 members in 1969. The club grew steadily to 75 members, eventually out-growing the space and relocated to Alcoma School in 1975. The club continued to operate until 1985. Yosh would also serve on the Judo Alberta provincial coaching staff guiding athletes at the National Championships throughout Canada. Yosh is a Lifetime Member of Judo Alberta. At the age of 80, Yosh took up golfing, recording two hole in ones in his short but prolific career. In the winter, one could find him at the curling rink. Yosh is survived by his children: Darlene Kinley (late Jack) – Jaclyn; Brian & Jacquie Fujimoto – Kiera, Mikayla, Corbynn; Karen Fujimoto & Brian Johnston – Brianne, Miya; April & Ken Fleury – Natalie (Aaron McGregor, great grandchildren – Hayes and Teio), Karli. He is also survived by his siblings: Yukiye Adachi (late Sen), Nobuo Fujimoto (Yoko), Mitsuye Fujino (Jack), George Fujimoto (late Naomi). Yosh was predeceased by his wife Miyoko; dear son-in-law, Jack Kinley; parents Takujuro and Haru Fujimoto; sister Kikuye Nishimoto (late George); brothers Minoru (late Kumi) Takao (Mitsuyo) Tatsuo (late Helen) Yasuo (Liz) Satoru (late Noriko) and Shigeru. A Wake Service will be held Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 PM at Smith Memorial Chapel 204 Third Ave W Brooks. Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 20 at 1:00 PM at the Heritage Inn and Convention Centre, Brooks with luncheon to follow. Rev. Yasuo Izumi officiating. Interment to follow at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Yosh, if friends desire, memorial tributes can be made directly to Brooks and District Health Foundation, for Palliative Care, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta. T1R 1B3.
Live Streaming of the Funeral Services is scheduled to be available to the public via Smith Funeral Home’s website. Streaming is scheduled to start approximately 10 – 15 minutes prior to services.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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