Roy Nobuyoshi Hattori

Roy, was the fifth child born to Sekisaburo and Tama Hattori on March 7, 1919. Roy was preceded in death by his siblings James Koji, Yoneko, Aiko, and Yoshiko. His only surviving sibling is Dr. Tak Hattori.

In 1937, after graduating from Monterey High School Roy was asked by his father, who was in the abalone industry, if he would work as a diver to help the family. From that day on, Roy went to work in the ocean he eventually fell in love with. By 1938, Roy, the only Nisei diver in Monterey, was a full-fledged, commercial abalone diver and the principal diver for the family boat.

With the onset of WWII, Roy’s family was sent to Rowher, AK Internment Camp. There he married the love of his life, Grace. Roy is survived by his children: Rick Hattori (Ellie), Robbin Pickering (Eric) and Ranko Nakamura (Gary); grandchildren, Jenny Hattori, Tommy Hattori (Danielle), Doug Pickering (Lori) Chris Pickering (Nicole) and Jeff Nakamura. He was the beloved great grandfather of Joshua Hattori, Megan, Ashlee , Rachael Pickering and Ryan Pickering, and great-great grandfather to Grace Britto and Leah Connelly. Roy is preceded in death by his wife Yoshi Grace Hattori and grandson Robbie Nakamura.

Returning to Monterey after the war, commercial abalone diving was no longer an option for Roy so he had to look for other ways to support his family. He began his day at PG Cleaners and then worked a 8 hour shift at Kramer’s Jewelers repairing watches.

Roy found great joy in origami and loved sharing his talent. Many were lucky recipients of his famous origami umbrellas. Roy was folding these umbrellas to the end.

Roy never lost the memories of his diving days. He loved to share his abalone diving stories. His recollections have been an invaluable source for our abalone history. Countless have seen him in California Gold, Monterey Maritime Museum and heard him speak at the Monterey Aquarium, Pt Lobos, and numerous other local venues. When honored recently by the Monterey Peninsula JACL on how he would like to be remembered, he responded “I would like to be remembered as a person who spent his life by, near, on and in the ocean”.

A memorial Service will be held on Saturday January 14, 2012, at 1:00 pm at the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena Street Seaside, CA.

Arrangements under the direction of Bayside Community Mortuary, Seaside, CA.