Junso George Takata

October 16, 1925 – August 2, 2025

Passed away peacefully at home two months shy of his 100th birthday with family at his side. Survived by his devoted wife of 73 years (Dorothy), sister Marie (Mas), son David (Johanna), daughter Janet (Charles), grandsons Brendan (Kayla), Dillon (Lisa), William (Chandrika), Keith (Alissa) and Jackson (Cori), and great grandchildren Naya, Anya, Enzo, and Kana with a 4th great granddaughter on the way. Predeceased by beloved son Robert, parents Kensuke and Misuyo, sister Toshie (Tosh), and brothers Toyo (Martha), Kenji (Reiko) and Seiji (Marg).

Dad grew up in Esquimalt, BC. After moving to Ontario, he graduated with Honours from the University of Toronto with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an engineer in St. Catharines where he and Mom raised a family and would spend the rest of their lives. Later in his career he joined the Technology faculty at Niagara College from where he retired.

He was a longtime member of Twenty Valley Golf Club and played regularly into his mid-nineties. He loved working in his garden, tending the bonsai trees he inherited from his father, jazz, reading and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dad was very committed to giving back to the community. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Building Committee that oversaw the initial construction of Niagara Ina Grafton Village. He donated generously to numerous charities and was an active volunteer.

With Mom at his side, they traveled the world including Alaska, Hawaii, most of Europe, Turkey, Egypt, China, SE Asia and Japan. Earlier summers were spent driving the family from coast to coast across Canada and the US towing a camper and later a trailer so we, his children, could learn about and appreciate where we lived.

In his later years, his greatest source of pride and pleasure was the accomplishments of his five grandsons. As he said on more than one occasion, “I can die in peace because my grandsons have become such fine young men”.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dad’s name can be made by e-transfer to Trillium United Church ([email protected]) or Niagara Ina Grafton Gage Village through https://niagarainagrafton.ca/foundation/donate/

Donations to Trillium will benefit a number of worthy causes including Out of the Cold, Creative Spirit and Refugee Support. A Celebration of Dad’s Life will be held on Thursday, August 21 at 2 pm at the Ruby Carroll Hall, Trillium United Church, 415 Linwell Rd, St. Catharines. A reception will follow.