Peter Keiichi Nimi

January 9, 1929 – October 22, 2022

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Peter Keiichi Nimi on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the age of 93 at Richmond Hospital in Richmond, BC.

Peter was born to Toragoro and Rui Nimi (nee Kaneda) January 9, 1929 in Vancouver, BC. As a Nisei (second generation Canadian of Japanese ancestry) he endured a stressful and complex early life of wartime uprooting, internment, and displacement. From Powell Street in Japantown to Minto in the Bridge River Valley, and from internment camp self-schooling, to Hamilton and Britannia High, Peter persevered through it all and was accepted into UBC Pharmacy School, where he graduated as only the second person of Asian descent in 1956. More importantly, he would tell us, he met his lifelong partner Aster Mukai in pharmacy school, and they wed in 1957. Dad told us, maybe creatively, that he purposely failed some courses to stay in classes with Aster.

Together the couple began a drugstore business in 1959 that encompassed 36 years, hundreds of employees (many who became close friends) and literally generations of patients and customers. The first, flagship store was Seafair Drugs in Richmond, which was on the same block as their new home on Fairfax Place. Despite naysayers, their tireless efforts and entrepreneurial acumen proved profitable, and expansion followed: a second store in Coquitlam, and more stores in Richmond at Broadmoor and Shellmont malls, as well as a dispensary at Blundell Centre. Peter was a founding member of Pharmasave in 1981, a unique concept of the time creating a buying and marketing co-operative of independent pharmacies. He was an incredibly astute businessperson but also a proper, true gentleman, always looking out for the best interests of his employees; on selling the chain in 1995, extremely difficult negotiations resolved with the retainment of every single employee.

Despite incredibly busy and productive careers, Peter and Aster managed to start a family, with Paul in 1962 and David in 1965. Peter always ensured family took priority, devoting time to regular family activities and vacations – Whistler at Christmas and California road trips in the summer, then later more cultural forays into eastern North America and eventually across Asia and Europe. He was a master planner of activities, and with Aster, truly enjoyed family time more than the drugstore business. Having become proficient at skiing at an early age, Peter diligently taught his family his favourite winter activity, and in the process created endless happy memories from the slopes of Seymour, Grouse, and Whistler mountains. He also started his boys on their all-consuming hockey lives, which in turn was passed on to his grandchildren. Summers were spent on the golf course, and memberships at Quilchena, then Richmond Country Club, introduced the couple to new circles of lifelong, incredibly close friends.

Through it all, their shared love of music created co-dependencies that brought the family uniquely closer. Peter fine-tuned his culinary skills at home with the kids, allowing Aster to attain a UBC music degree as a mature student. The living room became a sanctuary for music as Peter had his high-end sound system set-up next to a very nice Kawai grand piano, which eventually was replaced by the Bösendorfer. Peter always enjoyed having the grand piano in the room as it allowed Aster to perfect her singing and the kids to practice their playing. In turn, the grandchildren developed an appreciation for music, as all 4 would spend numerous hours practicing on the piano, culminating in performances for Peter and Aster as their Christmas gift during the holidays. Peter was also the most diligent supporter and attendee at every Vancouver Bach Choir and EnChor performance Aster sang in, from local Orpheum performances to worldwide competitions, and the close friendships that developed immensely enriched them for the rest of their lives.

Retirement allowed the couple to explore areas of the world they had never seen. But Dad was always thinking of the family, especially the grandchildren – he ensured that we all had one happy get-together for their 50th wedding anniversary on a Disney cruise around the Caribbean, and as chief translator and historian, he led each of our families on extensive tours of Japan, introducing us to our distant relatives. Family and friends were always top of mind and of utmost importance.

It was truly tragic with Aster’s sudden passing in 2018. As can be imagined, Peter was never quite the same, and seemed lost without his true love and life partner these last few years. They were the perfect match, and one was incomplete without the other. While we are emotionally drained and mourn the loss of our generational family patriarch, we are comforted in the knowledge that Mom’s enduring love and strength of spirit will once again envelope and guide Dad on their next worldly journeys, together, once again, and forever.

Peter is preceded in death by his beloved wife Aster, brother Robert (Bob), sister Etsuko (Ellen) and her husband Steve, father Toragoro, and mother Rui. He is survived by his sister-in-law Jane, and his sons Paul (wife Donna, their sons Nicholas and Alex) and David (wife Lily, their sons Markus and Ryan). The family thanks all the caregivers over his final years, especially Alma, who became his confidante, conversation companion, then personal nurse – we consider you part of our family.

A Funeral Viewing Service will be held at Hamilton Harron Funeral Home, 5390 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC on Wednesday November 9, 2022 at 7:00pm. With thoughts of Peter, please be kind to each other and cherish the present moments with loved ones, family, and friends. In lieu of flowers or koden, please consider donations towards:

Nikkei Place Foundation; “Honour, preserve, and share the heritage of Japanese Canadians through the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre”:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/63380/

VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation; “Drive innovation and health care transformation through Vancouver Coastal Health’s primary philanthropic partner”:

https://join.vghfoundation.ca/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hamiltonharronfunerals.com for the Nimi family.