Hideo Joe Sasaki

Hideo J. Sasaki—known as Joe to most—was born in Seattle, Washington to Sawano Mizuta and Yonekichi Sasaki. He had an older sister named Yone. When Joe was 7 years old, his mother died of pneumonia. When Joe was 13 years old, his family was incarcerated, along with all Americans of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. Although his family lived in harsh, rustic conditions during their incarceration, Joe only shared the positive memories of playing basketball with his peers or picking beets and spuds.

Joe went on to graduate from the University of Washington where he graduated with a B.S. in 1951. He lived in the Japanese American students’ SYNKOA House on campus. Joe took a break from his studies to serve in the army during the Korean War. After returning to school, he met another student, May Nakamura. They were married in 1958 and had four children: Pam, Matt, Kim and Becky.

He practiced as a pharmacist for several decades until he retired at age 70. Over Joe’s lifetime, he spent many active weekends, skiing at Snoqualmie Pass, playing tennis and pickleball with friends, vacationing with family in Hawaii where he always tried surfing at Waikiki. After retirement, he loved to sing karaoke and play the ukulele, as well as just hang out with his grandkids and pets. He also volunteered with the Nisei Vets organization and attended Blaine Memorial Methodist Church.

Joe Sasaki passed just 6 months short of his 90th birthday. He is survived by his wife May Sasaki, his four children and their spouses and grandchildren. Pam Shigaya (spouse Dennis with kids Carter and Kayla), Matt Sasaki (spouse Valerie), Kim Nakata (spouse Arthur), and Becky Fukuda (spouse Randy with daughter Noelle).