Susumu Taiji

February 24th, 2024 our dear dad, Susumu (Sus) Taiji, passed away peacefully at home, in his favourite chair, watching curling on TV. He was, as he said “2 years and a little bit short of 100” and he was still challenging us at the card table, cheering on the Blue Jays, and arm-chair coaching the Canucks. In his lifetime he was an avid fisherman, participated in many sports – baseball, hockey, curling, golf – in the last few years he continued to golf on his birthday, the latest at age 95.

Dad was born September 13th, 1926 in Okanagan Centre. As he told us,” Dr. Knox drove from Kelowna in his Model A” to deliver him at the Okanagan Land Company camp, where our grandmother cooked for a Japanese orchard crew.

He is predeceased by our grandparents, Toyokichi and Oei (nee Takenaka) Taiji, our mother – his wife of 72 years - Bea Taiji and his brother Kiyoji Taiji and sister Mich Koyama.

Dad graduated from Oyama High School, often catching a ride there with George Elliot. Both he and Mich worked in the family orchard as needed and Dad did custom spraying for many orchardists in the area. He has worked in forestry, in the Winfield Packing House, our orchards and eventually worked and retired from Hiram Walker Distillery.

Dad was a founding member of the Winfield Fire Department - serving as both Company Captain and Fire Chief, the Winfield Curling Club where he served as President, and was instrumental in the formation of the Winfield and District Minor Hockey Association where he enjoyed coaching the tots.

He was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by his children – Wayne (Caroll), Cheryl, Bruce (Jane), Mitch (Brenda), and Jocelyn (Mike); his grandchildren Karma (Trevor), Bjorn, Mika (Jonathan), Connor (Jailene), Hana, Riley (Elise ), Sian, Nicole, Corrine (Sam ), Erin (Rick), Brayden (Shanny), and Mitchell (Marti); 17 great-grandchildren, local nieces Janice and Karen Koyama and many other nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.

Special thanks to the Interior Health Home Support Team, especially caregivers Ivan, Cecilia, Deanne, Gail, Bob, Linda, Trinell, Jazz, Freida and so many others. Thank you, Garret, Rachel and Darby for your advice and support.

A celebration of life to honour both our father and mother, who passed away during the COVID pandemic in 2021, is planned for later this year.

Thank you to all who showed our father respect and friendship during the many years he lived in our wonderful community.

Any remembrances of Dad through donations to the Lake Country Food Bank or the Lake Country Museum would be appreciated.

Sincerely, The Taiji Family

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299