Obituary of Hideo Yasumatsu

July 3, 1936 – Clayburn, BC

December 14, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness the family of Hideo (Sam) Yasumatsu announces his passing on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the age of 87 years.

Hideo was born in Clayburn, BC on July 3, 1936 to Shigeru Tataki and Kosaku Yasumatsu. When he was four years old, his family relocated to Manitoba where they worked and lived in small farming towns. At twelve years old, Hideo was introduced to hockey, ultimately falling in love with the game and later being dubbed “the Japanese Boy Wonder” by local sports media. He enjoyed baseball, fishing, and many other outdoor sports in his spare time.

After he graduated from high school, Hideo went on to work in the drafting/blueprint room at Vulcan Iron where he met Lorna (nee Wrobel), a stenographer in the engineering department. The two married in 1960 and later welcomed two daughters, Cindy, and Melanie.

Hideo became General Manager of Vulcan Iron, later known as Bridge and Tank Western. In 1978, the family moved to Edmonton, AB when Hideo was offered the role of General Manager at Triangle Steel. Eight years later, the family moved to Calgary where Hideo remained with the sister organization, TSE. He retired, after 48 years in the steel fabrication industry, spending time with his grandchildren and traveling to places including Japan, New York, New Orleans and across Canada.

He enjoyed his role as Chairman and the relationships he built on the following boards: the Calgary Steel Fabricators Assn., Calgary Construction Assn., Alberta Const. Assn., Alberta Bid Depository, Alberta Tendering System, Metal Fabricating Health and Safety Assn., and Trustee for the Ironworkers Pension Fund.

Hideo is survived and missed by his wife Lorna, daughter Cindy (Ed), grandchildren, Madison and Keelan Wittstock; sister Kazuko (Kay) Sakiyama, and many nieces and nephews across Canada. Hideo was predeceased by his daughter Melanie and siblings Nobuko, Yoshiko, Atsuko, and Toshio.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Father Lacombe Care Centre for their loving care for the last 18 months.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com;  Diabetes Canada, 220, 6223 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1J5 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 1112, www.diabetes.ca or any association of your choice.

A private burial will take place December 19, 2023 and a memorial service will take place at a future date.

In living memory of Hideo Yasumatsu, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.