Obituary of Tsutomu NAWATA

March 15, 1928 – February 5, 2021

Tsutomu Nawata, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021, at the age of 92 years.

Tsutomu, known to most as Tom, was born in Maple Ridge, BC to Yuhei and Tomoe Nawata who arrived in Canada in 1914, following Yuhei’s father’s first arrival to Canada from Hawaii in 1910. The family relocated from Vancouver to Southern Alberta where they worked on sugar beet farms. Tom was the eldest of five brothers, predeceased by Harumi and Ken Nawata and survived by Aki of Edmonton and Albert of Calgary. Tom married Nancy Kadonaga in Calgary in 1956. Nancy sadly passed away unexpectedly in 1997. Tom and Nancy are survived by their two children, Dean and Michele; and their two grandchildren, Kaelam and Jade.

After graduating from SAIT in Calgary, Tom worked for Canadian Pacific Airlines, was seconded to the Department of National Defense and worked with US Strategic Air Command. After receiving his degree from the University of Alberta and completing graduate studies at the University of Calgary, he spent the rest of his career teaching electronics and avionics at SAIT. Tom retired in 1991 in the position of Associate Department Head. Tom was very active throughout his life in the Japanese Canadian community as a well-recognized member of the NAJC (National Association of Japanese Canadians), CJCA (Calgary Japanese Canadian Association) and most recently the Kotobuki Kai senior’s community. He was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal by Premier Ralph Klein and the Alberta Government in recognition of his service to the community in 2005.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Tom’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Tom Nawata, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.