Tad passed away June 9, 2010 (97 years old) at Harborview Hospital in Seattle, WA. He was born on May 20, 1913 in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Ken, Japan. He is preceded in death by his wife Fujiko (Fudge), his parents Otokichi and Setsuyo Sakuma, & younger brother Saturo.

Tad immigrated to Seattle with his parents and brother in 1924. In 1941 he moved to Bainbridge Island where he met Fudge, and worked until WWII when he was evacuated to the first internment camp Manzanar, CA and then to a second internment camp, Minidoka, ID. After the war, Tad returned to Bainbridge where he had his landscape gardening business until his retirement in 1986.

He served on the Bainbridge Island Planning Committee from 1976 to 1986. Tad enjoyed being a member of the Bainbridge Island Rhododendron Society for many years. His passion for his beloved yard never ended – he could be seen daily – diligently working to keep his garden spotless, and even enjoyed the daily visits from deer, squirrels, blue jays and a raccoon.

Tad loved to golf with his sons and continued into his 80’s. After giving up golf, he followed the golf tournaments on TV, often offering helpful suggestions to the pros. Come Mariner baseball season he was glued to his easy chair, even in the team’s losing efforts.

Tad is survived by sons David, Gary and Dwight; daughters in-law HongZhuan, Cindy, Margaret and Diane; grandchildren Chad, Tanya, Zheng Hao, Jeff, Molly and Anna-Laura; great grandson Kyle; sisters in-law, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He will be interned at Evergreen-Washelli Columbarium next to Fudge.

A celebration of Tad’s life will be held on July 10 at 2:00 pm at the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church on Bainbridge Island.

In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to Keiro, Seattle or Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Please visit www.evergreen-washelli.com for pictures and to leave comments.

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