Name: Willow Glen Funeral Home
Address: San Jose, CA

Dear Jean, 
The RAFT newsletter shared the news about Wayne. Many years of seeing both of you as dedicated people spending many hours helping others at RAFT. My sincerest condolences to you.
Renee Sanghera 💜

As a young engineer I had the good fortune to work with Wayne.  He was always very generous with his time and eager to help and teach.  He was so enthusiastic about the work and fun to work with.   As a young engineer, it was experiences such as working with Wayne that helped solidify my enthusiasm and confidence in my choosing mechanical engineering as a profession.    A day working with Wayne was always a good day.  May his soul rest in peace and may his enthusiastic and helpful spirit live on.

Wayne was an exceptional hiring manager and mentor during my time at IBM. It was a profound privilege to work under his guidance from November 1981 to 1983. Even nearly 43 years later, the lessons and values he instilled in me continue to shape my approach to my work.
Wayne possessed an unparalleled depth of analytical skill, which he generously shared with his team. His insistence on "completed staff work" that could stand alone ensured the clarity and thoroughness of our deliverables. This attention to detail has remained a hallmark of my own work ethic, even to this day in my role at Amazon.
Beyond his technical mastery, Wayne radiated a genuine joy and passion for his work that was truly inspiring. His annual trips to Hawaii seemed to reenergize him, allowing him to lead his team with an infectious enthusiasm. I always admired his ability to maintain such a positive, uplifting demeanor, even in the face of complex challenges.
Words cannot adequately express the profound impact Wayne had on my professional development. He didn't simply teach me the technical skills of the job – he instilled in me a commitment to excellence, a spirit of innovation, and a genuine care for the work and the team. I am forever grateful for his mentorship, and I strive each day to embody the values he exemplified.
The world has lost a truly remarkable individual, but Wayne's legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched. I am honored to be among them, and I will carry his influence with me for the rest of my career. Thank you, Wayne, for your guidance, your wisdom, and your inspirational leadership. You have left an indelible mark, and I am a better professional because of you.

Kalani High School Classmates Rose Yagi Eng, Edwin Young and Robin Leong visit Wayne on  2-16-23

I met Wayne in the 3rd grade at Aina Haina Elementary. We continued to be classmates at Niu Valley Intermediate, Kalani High School, and the University of Hawaii (now UH-Manoa) in Mechanical Engineering during our freshman and sophomore years. After he graduated and worked for IBM in San Jose, CA KHS class of '61 met regularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. We had a lot of good times, together. Then when our Mothers were aging we took one-week visits monthly to Honolulu to see them. Wayne and Jean were very generous to me when I raised monies for Pt Blue Conservation Science. He also donated a lot of time to Jean's nonprofit RAFT. I will truly miss him. May he RIP

WAYNE WAS A CALM, PATIENT, AND PEACEFUL PERSON.  HIS HUMBLE AND QUIET DEMEANOR ALWAYS DISGUISED HOW SMART AND WISE HE WAS.  I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE MAGNIFICIENT, CREATIVE,AND DETAILED HAND CRAFTED CHRISTMAS CARDS HE AND HIS  BEAUTIFUL WIFE SENT US EVERY YEAR.  HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO RAFT AFTER HE RETIRED WERE HALLMARKS OF WHAT A GIVING PERSON HE WAS.  I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS GENEROSITY  AND PRAY HE WILL WATCH OVER ALL OF US FROM HIS HEAVENLY HOME.  EDWIN AND JOAN YOUNG

Wayne came into my life 30 years ago. I never knew then what a profound impact he, and his beloved wife Jean, would have on our family at RAFT.
	
Wayne worked quietly with no fanfare or need for oversight, and expected nothing in return. From washing dishes, to building a trusted computer refurbishing program, and maintaining the Ellison Machines, he did what needed to be done. Five days a week, every week, year after year. Wayne and Jean came early, and often were the last to leave. They took RAFT under their wing and we took them into our hearts. 

Wayne busied himself everywhere, doing whatever was needed with such exceptional quality that I trusted him explicitly. At first he was focused on refurbishing the hundreds of computers donated from Silicon Valley companies.  I was never concerned because Wayne set the standard and earned their trust: no small feat.  

I mostly treasured the few times each year that Wayne would arrive at my office door for a chat as I knew that he had RAFT’s interests in both heart and mind.  Now it was my turn to listen,  “Let me put it this way…” he would begin, and listen I did.  He would talk about different concerns he had, or ask about a decision he did not understand.  I had much to reflect on after those visits, but they always made me smile inside. What a gift he was. 

Wayne’s life has been beyond inspiring. His gifts to all our RAFT family immense. But above all, we were inspired by the deep and constant love that Wayne and Jean had for each other, which touched all our hearts.

His loss brings tears, but also a sense of immense gratitude that I was fortunate enough to know him.

Jean, I share in your loss.  But I know that Wayne's love for you was so strong that it will hold you up and comfort you in this difficult time. 

I send you all my love.

Mary Simon

Sad to see this today. Wayne helped me get the first computers in  my Business class at Wilcox High in the 1990s. He was  a true gem and modernized a 1960s class with many hours volunteering and resources to get donated equipment up to 21st century standards . He was a joy to work with him and his wife Jean. If I only had his energy! He was retired and volunteering at the time while I was a new teacher just starting out.
May his memory be a blessing,
Julie Beadell

Dean Jean Suzuki and family,

Please accept my sincere condolences upon the passing of Wayne.  

I was a volunteer and subsequently an employee of RAFT  (2009 - 2015) where I had the honor of meeting Wayne and Jean.   

I at first assumed they were employees of RAFT because they were always there!  

Wayne was kind, approachable, efficient and hard working.  If my memory serves, Wayne was not one for a lot of small talk when there was a job to be done.  He took his volunteerism seriously - but not himself - he was always supportive and available to assist with a challenge - especially technical ones.  

I remember being impressed by Wayne’s humility. He kept a low profile despite being (along with Jean) the most capable and reliable volunteer any organization could possibly hope for.  He was a noble example for me to try and emulate in my small way. 

May Wayne’s “memory be eternal”. 

Mark Judge
San Jose

OBITUARY

Wayne Takashi Suzuki

October 31, 1943 – September 21, 2024

Willow Glen Funeral Home

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