September 21, 1921 - April 11, 2019
For all that you have done
For the gifts you have given
For the love you have shown
In the life we are living ...
We thank you with the whole of our hearts.
We are very sad to say farewell to you, our Dad, Bapa, Great-Grandfather and friend, Ross Kiyoshi Fukui. Ross passed away peacefully at the age of 97 1/2 years. He led a full and happy life and will now join our Mom, after 30 years passing.
Ross was born in Vancouver, a proud Canadian citizen, on September 21, 1921. In the Spring of 1942, he applied to the RCMP for a Permit to relocate to West Kelowna to work on a tomato farm. He was smitten by our Mom, Ki, and married her in Westbank, where they met.
It was a leap-of-faith moving to 70 Mile, in 1956, to work for the three Komori brothers, Harry, Ted and Fuzzy. In those early days Ross would operate a crank telephone set-up to call the lumber wholesalers or the railway agent in 100 Mile House. He worked with Komori Lumber Co., as the shipper, until they sold later in 1977.
He was hired by the Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers Association as a lumber grader inspector, before working as the shipper at Ainsworth Lumber Chasm, retiring in 1990.
From 1995 until February, 2018, he lived at 108 Mile Ranch, on his own.
Ross was a founder of Minor Hockey in the South Cariboo. At one point, Ross, (along with Bill Molnar, Rolf Zeis, Jim Moore and Gordon Thorsteinson), were responsible for the operation of the 'largest outdoor hockey league in Canada'.
These five men established the Minor Hockey program in the South Cariboo. March 20, 1982, the 100 Mile House Village Council, with the support of Minor Hockey Association past-president, Bob Day, recognized them with a plaque and a banquet held in the Stan Halcro Arena.
Ross remained active over the years. At 73 yrs he bought himself in-line skates. At 76 yrs he delighted in refereeing his granddaughter's soccer games. For his 95th Birthday he was beating everyone at Mini Golf.
A special thank you to Dr. Bruce Nicolson and Dr. Joanne Lapin for Dad's excellent care, beyond measure.
Heartfelt gratitude for the special attention, care and concern extended toward Dad by the Fischer Place Staff. We could not have expected anything more, thank you.
Appreciation to the wonderful staff at 100 Mile Hospital, Williams Lake Senior Village and Carefree Manor.
Respecting Ross' wishes, there will not be a Service. There will be an intimate family gathering, at a later date.
Surviving Ross are his children: Glenn, Rich, Wendy and son-in-law Sandy Foster; also Grandchildren: Kimiko Foster (Dylan), Darcy Foster (Avril), great-grandsons, Will & Miles and Shelley Foster Young (Robin) and great- grandsons, Olly & Charlie. Sisters-in-law surviving Ross are Bessie Koga (Mitsuo), Florence Taneda (Stan) and Joyce Fukui (Richard). Also survived by his many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his wife, Kikuko and her parents, Masui Taneda and Michiye (Matsuura) Taneda, brothers Kaz (Mary) Taneda, Stan Taneda, and brother-in-law Mitsuo Koga. Also Predeceased by his parents Yajiu and Chika (nee Nishimura) Fukui, and siblings Johnny (Chiyoko) Fukui, Alice (Al) Arakawa, Joe (Bunny) Fukui, Jim (Molly) Fukui, Richard Fukui and Betty (Sat) Murakami.
We wish to express our gratitude for the many kindnesses in thought and deed. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate, may donate, in Ross K. Fukui's name, to:
South Cariboo Health Foundation, PO Bag 399, 100 Mile House, B.C. VOK 2EO Phone 250 395-7608 Fax 250 395-7675, http://www.southcariboohealthfoundation.com/donation_form1.pdf