Ken Teshima

Ken Teshima (Ollie) left our world peacefully on January 31, 2025, at the age of 79 years.

Ken was born on May 31, 1945, at the Tashme Incarceration Camp, located in the present-day community of Sunshine Valley, British Columbia. The Nisei son of Yasutada Teshima and Okio (Ida) Teshima, Ken spent a short time at Tashme before relocating with his family to Walhachin and eventually to Ashcroft, the town where he would live for nearly his entire life.

He was an avid sportsman and spent much of his time in the mountains around Ashcroft and along the Thompson River that runs through it. An expert angler, Ken enjoyed battling trout, salmon, and the legendary Thompson River steelhead, alongside his longtime friends George and Jack Morimoto, William (Foogie) Aie, George Toriumi and Rick Kirkbride, among others.

Ken was a quiet man who led a quiet life, but he was quick to help and remarkably kind and that kindness left a strong impression on all those who knew him.

He is survived by daughter Coco and grandson Rian; son James (Sara); siblings Mamoru (Robin), Mutsuo (Pat), Richard (Judy), and Merry; sister-in law Sandra; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ken also leaves behind his good friends and neighbours, who always looked out for him and for each other, as well as the many friends and coworkers he spent 43 years working alongside at Bethlehem Mines and Highland Valley Copper.

Ken is predeceased by his parents, and his siblings Hiroyoshi, Masa, Fusaye (Fusa), Kiyoko and Roy.

We wish to extend our appreciation to Dr. Anthony and the staff of the Ashcroft Hospital, the staff of Royal Inland Hospital, and the employees of Chartwell Kamloops for taking such good care of Ken. As per Ken’s wishes, there will not be a formal funeral service, because he “didn’t want to cause a big fuss.”