Robert "Bob" Hiroshi Motokado

It is with great sadness and with much love that the family of Robert (Bob) Motokado announce his passing peacefully at the age of 87. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Yoshiko and his children Derrick Motokado, Donna (Darrin) Van Sickle, David (Holly) Motokado, and Kevin (Claren) Motokado, grandchildren Brandon, Kaitlin (Bradley), David, Justin, Dylan and great-grandson Jameson. He is survived by his brother Jim (Sat) Motokado, sisters Mary Araki, Joyce (Marvin) Umemura, Ruth Murakami, Suzie Motokado, sister-in-laws, Shoko and Marion Motokado. He was predeceased by his parents Kichijiro and Kiku, brothers Dick, Joe, Sam, George, sister-in-law Lucy Motokado and brother-in-laws Bixie Araki and Sam Murakami.

Bob was born in Duncan, BC in the middle of the Great Depression, and grew up in a big family. In early 1942, albeit being Canadian citizens, they were relocated with other Japanese Canadian families into the interior of BC. They were moved to one of the Internment camps, living in overcrowded, substandard living conditions, and endured hardship. The family moved to Southern Alberta to work on the sugar beet farms and then to Kamloops in 1952. In 1955, Bob left home to join the Royal Canadian Air Force, proudly serving his country for 26 years at CFBs Cold Lake, Comox, Edmonton, Greenwood, and Baden-Soellingen in West Germany. He worked on the armament systems of the (Argus) anti-submarine warfare aircraft and on the armament and avionics systems for the CF104 Starfighter. The job was rewarding and he established numerous lifelong friendships with his military colleagues. He met the love of his life, Yoshiko, while on training at CFB Borden. This union resulted in a family of four children who affectionately remember their childhood and all the life lessons that their Dad shared with them. Bob retired from the military at his last posting at CFB Edmonton. He pursued his second career with Alberta Government Telephones and retired in 1994. Bob was a warm, kind-hearted and generous individual, comfortable striking up a conversation with total strangers while sitting on a park bench. He was an active member of the EJCA and in particular with the Seniors Club where he served for a period as president until health challenges slowed him down. Bob loved gardening. To say he was a “hobby gardener” would not do him justice. Gardening was a skill he developed during his internment days. It would not be unusual for him to be toiling away an entire day tending his “babies” at his numerous garden plots and sharing his harvest with family and friends.

Bowling was his passion, it was his favorite and most enduring sport that he shared with his wife. There is a cabinet filled with his numerous bowling trophies and awards. No man alive could throw the bowling ball as hard as Bob as the pins would literally explode for a strike. But most of all Bob was a family man, whom his family will miss and love so much. He will be remembered for his integrity, compassion and service to his country. He will be missed deeply, but he will forever be in the hearts of all he touched.

A family funeral service to celebrate bob’s life will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Memories Funeral Home, 13403 St. Albert Trail Edmonton, Alberta. Cremation entrusted to Memories Funeral Home.