Born in Seattle to Thomas Tokuhisa and Theresa Hotoru Matsudaira, Joseph Yukio Anthony was the ninth of 14 children. At age four, Joe was incarcerated in Camp Minidoka, Idaho, with his family during World War II.
After returning to Seattle in 1945, Joe attended the Immaculate Conception Elementary School and O’Dea High School. Following his service in the Army as an electronics countermeasures specialist, Joe attended the University of Washington where he graduated in Business. He worked at Boeing and Xerox before stepping into a career as a securities broker with Smith Barney, Prudential Bache, and Wachovia. He finally retired after 25 years.
In 1967 Joe married Brenda Taniguchi and they had two children. He was a Lifetime Member of the Nisei Veterans Committee and played in the Asian Basketball League for 22 years. He was a loyal fan of the Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies.
In retirement, Joe and Brenda spent their time traveling the world, creating memories with friends in faraway places: from Australia and New Zealand to cruising in Europe & Alaska. Joe loved swimming in the ocean especially on Hawaiian beaches. Joe and Brenda also made regular trips to Japan with their daughter, Shelly. In May of last year, Joe was lucky enough to celebrate his Golden Anniversary with Brenda.
While his favorite pastime was being with his two grandsons, Joe kept busy playing and instructing pickleball at Nisei Vets Hall, where he enjoyed helping out with special events. He also loved taking walks, gardening, looking in on family and friends, and getting together with them for Mexican Train game nights.
Throughout his final days, Joe never lost his natural ability to make people laugh. Joe comforted his loved ones with his quick wit, in spite of his most difficult times. On May 15, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer, Joe passed away in his sleep, with family at his side.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda and their two children: Garrett (Kate), and Shelly; two grandsons: Jax & Barron; brothers Jim (Hisa), Theo (Joyce), Mitch, Vincent (Charlotte), Stephen (Linda) Matsudaira and sisters Pauline (Mako) Yaguchi, Ida Matsudaira, Theresa (Wes) Kokame, and sisters-in-law, Lillian and Barbara.
Brenda, Garrett, and Shelly are extremely grateful for the excellent care provided to them by Valley Medical Oncology, Valley Medical Infusion Center, and Evergreen Hospice. They also consider themselves fortunate to have such amazing family and friends who showered them generously with so much love and support.
Donations may be made to NVC, 1212 S. King St, Seattle WA 98144 or Keiro NW, 1601 E. Yesler Way, Seattle WA 98144.
A service will be held on Friday, June 8 at 1:00 PM at St. Anthony Catholic Church: 416 South 4th Street, Renton.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18