James C. Hasegawa

James (Jim) Chitoshi Hasegawa was born Dec 23, 1928 in Hana, Maui, Hawaii to parents Saburo and Shimayo Hasegawa. Jim passed away suddenly yet peacefully at home with family on May 23, 2013. He is survived by children, Steve, Kathy, Susie (Jeff Yamane), six granddaughters, and two brothers, Fred and Tom. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Hiroko.

Jim was the fifth son in a family of seven boys. His father and uncle started the Hasegawa General Store in Hana, Hawaii. In 1932, Jim’s family returned to Japan where Jim spent his youth until the end of World War II. While in Japan, Jim completed grade school through high school and some college. Due to the hardships in Japan after the war, he went to work for a carpenter, where he was able to learn the trade. In 1948, Jim returned to Hana, Hawaii to help at the store. He then moved to Seattle in 1951, following his younger brothers who had relocated to Seattle in 1949.

After some time in Seattle, he met his future bride Hiroko who he married in 1955. The fruitful marriage of 57 years nurtured a family of one son and identical twin daughters. During Jim’s lifetime, he managed and maintained an apartment, started a restaurant cabinet shop business and a landscape / gardening business. His gardening business operated from 1956 to 1997.

Jim commented in his later life that he was lucky to have met lots of very nice people and thanks them for their friendship.

A service will be held at Seattle Buddhist Church on Sunday, June 2nd at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Seattle Buddhist Church or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. You are invited to visit www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com to read Jim’s full obituary.