Yoshio (Frank) Sato— 1918 - 2008

  Yoshio (Frank) Sato completed his remarkable journey on this earth on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, looking forward to being reunited with his wife, Faith, who predeceased him in 1984.

Married 37 years, they lived in Taber, Barnwell, Cranbrook, and eventually settled in Lethbridge where they raised six children — Beverley (Dave) Foy, Rochelle (Lloyd) Yamagishi, Brent (Carla), Robin (Tom) Tamura, Trevor (Rhonda), and Ryan (Sandy).They have 13 grandchildren, and his first great grandchild arrived on April 20, 2008.

Frank’s partner for the last 23 years was Eldora Sopher. When he moved to Fort Macleod, he was welcomed into the lives of her six children — Jim (Diane), Gail (Bob) Voisey, Diane Ball, Don, Murray (Lori), and Heather, 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, who all called him “Grandpa.”

Frank and Eldora enjoyed their many years together, camping throughout Canada and the United States and taking trips to Alaska, South America, Japan and Hawaii.

Frank was born in Ocean Falls, B.C., on Oct. 31, 1918, elder brother to Teruko (Bill) Yoshihara (deceased 2007), Sherry (Roy) Adachi, and Kazuo “James” (Mary).

In 1942, the family was evacuated from their beloved strawberry farm in Surrey, B.C., to settle in Magrath.A self-taught carpenter, he worked at various other places, including a lumber camp, cannery, running a restaurant, and selling Christmas trees, coffee products, furniture and Amway.

Frank loved fishing, camping, gardening, and traveling, and had a constant need to better himself, which was a great inspiration to his family. He treasured his many experiences as a Scout master at First Baptist Church.

Heartfelt thanks to the many loving people who cared for Frank during the past year — the wonderful staff at Fort Macleod Hospital, Chinook Regional Hospital, and Edith Cavell Care Centre. Special thanks to RN Craig Currie at Edith Cavell Care Centre, Dr. G. Hunt and Dr. A. Coma, who showed so much compassion for Frank and his family.

A memorial service and reception was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Martin Bros. Riverview Chapel, 610 – Fourth St. S., Lethbridge. Flowers and koden are gratefully declined, in favour of memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta 207, 542 Seventh St. S., Lethbridge, T1J 3E6 or the Canadian Cancer Society, 317 10th St. S., Lethbridge, T1J 9Z9.