Takekazu Horie

Auburn - On June 20, 2012, Auburn lost a very special man, Takekazu Horie, 78 of Auburn. Affectionately known as Mr. Horie. Tak. Takey. Papa. Ojiichan. You may have seen him in his boat on Lake Auburn or off Bailey's Island, reeling in the biggest lake trout or striped bass. You may have seen him in Dunkin Donuts, quietly enjoying a small coffee and an english muffin with good friends. You may have seen him at Emerson Toyota, with hot coffee and munchkins, talking about cars and the last Red Sox game. You may have seen him riding his lawn mower near Lake Shore Drive, driving his impeccable Toyota 4Runners, or spending wonderful summers with his children and grandchildren. No matter where you may have met him, chances are your life was forever changed by this warm, loving, generous, honorable, and impossibly stubborn man named Takekazu Horie. Born in Niihama, Japan on April 8th, 1934, Mr. Horie was the youngest of six children. From an early age, he flashed his many talents and charismatic personality in the school room and on the dance floor where he learned the tango, rumba, and waltz. He loved the ocean, and would often be seen scuba diving and spear fishing off the Japanese coast. After attending the University of Musashi in 1954, Takekazu owned and operated a successful wholesale business in Kuma, before moving to Lewiston, Maine with his young family in 1971 and finding permanent residence in Auburn in 1977. In his new town, Tak quickly made an impression when he appeared in the newspaper with family after catching a record-breaking 17 lb lake trout in Lake Auburn. While he would work for over 25 years as a medical lab technician for his older brother, Tak's greatest passions were always his family and the great outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, talented photographer, and a lover of cars and motorcycles. Perhaps what he is most remembered for, however, is his wonderfully friendly personality and his incredible generosity to friends and family. Takekazu is survived by his wife of 45 years, Motoko, his daughter and son-in-law, Ryuko and Michael Doscher of Lawrenceville, GA, son and daughter-in-law, Takeyoshi and Kate Horie of Lunenburg, MA, and two proud grandchildren, Takashi and Kiyomi Doscher. He also is survived by his five older siblings; Sumiko Ishikawa, Kimiko Ooka, and Michiko Fukuda of Japan, Utako Horie of Queens, NY, and his brother and sister-in-law, Tsukasa and Nancy S. Horie of Auburn, ME. He also leaves behind his seven nieces and nephews; Shizuta and Masaharu Ishikawa, Yoshihiro, Chieko and Nobuo Ooka, Ayumi Horie and Hideki Fukuda. The family would like to express their highest thanks and gratitude to Tak’s dearest friends and to the community of Lewiston-Auburn. Over these many years, to all of the acquaintances who became friends, and the friends who became family, you have immeasurably enriched Takekazu's life. Through your never-ending love and generosity, Lewiston-Auburn will forever remain his home.You are invited to share your condolences with the Horie family by visiting their guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation Saturday, June 30, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the funeral home. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to The Hospice House of Androscoggin Home & Hospice. The incredible staff and facilities ensured that his final moments were filled with comfort, dignity, and peace. A service of The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner Street, Auburn 783-8545.