Obituary for Fred Kaita
Fred Reuzo Kaita
1937 -2022
On Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the age of 85, Fred passed away peacefully at the Seven Oaks Hospital. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Christine and son Riley (Marie). He is also survived by his sisters Sumire and Kay, brother Ron (Lily), the Oike family and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Fred is predeceased by his parents, Takaji and Sue, sisters Yume and Hana, brother Roy, brothers-in-law, Hiroshi Tahara, Shigeru Hirayama, Stephen Tazumi, Robert Yamamoto, sisters-in-law Yoriko Kaita and Amy Kaita, niece Kathy Inouye and nephew-in-law Ronald MacArthur.
Fred was born on November 29, 1937, in New Westminster, British Columbia. He was the third son and youngest of the seven Kaita children. The family relocated to Manitoba in June of 1942 when Fred was three years old. Fred completed high school at St John’s Tech and graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. In 1961 Fred graduated with an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. Fred worked in Toronto for a short time before he moved back to Winnipeg to begin a 33-year career at the Manitoba Telephone System.
Fred married Chris in 1991 and the arrival of their son Riley came in October 1996. Riley was one of Fred’s greatest joys. The birth of Riley gave Fred the opportunity to embrace fatherhood. He said that parenting often times tested his patience yet was the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of his life.
Fred enjoyed a long retirement. He was an avid gardener, and many people were the beneficiaries of his bountiful harvest each year. His yard was a beautiful display of flowers, particularly canna lilies, roses and begonias. He enjoyed many summers at Tall Timber Lodge, fishing, playing cards and spending time with family and friends.
Fred was very active within the Japanese Canadian community in Winnipeg. He volunteered and was mayor of the Japanese Pavilion, was an active member of the Japanese Canadian Citizens Association and was a member of the President’s committee from 1984 to 1988 when the National Association of Japanese Canadians gained redress for their forced relocation from the Coast of British Columbia.
Fred will be remembered for his love of life and of course, the Kaita laugh. You always knew when he was in a room by his distinctive laugh. He loved people and he loved to party! He was a kind soul, patient and generous to a fault.
We would like to say thank you to family and friends for their unwavering support during the past few years of Fred’s illness. Thank you to the many home care aides who assisted Fred to be able to stay home for as long as possible, especially Susan, Blake and Edward whom he had a particular fondness for. A special thank you to the nurses, care aides and cleaning staff in Unit 3U2 at the Seven Oaks hospital and especially Dr. Finlayson for his kind and compassionate guidance near Fred’s end of life.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple, 39 Tecumseh Street at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Manitoba Buddhist Temple or the Japanese Canadian Association of Manitoba.
1937 -2022
On Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the age of 85, Fred passed away peacefully at the Seven Oaks Hospital. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Christine and son Riley (Marie). He is also survived by his sisters Sumire and Kay, brother Ron (Lily), the Oike family and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Fred is predeceased by his parents, Takaji and Sue, sisters Yume and Hana, brother Roy, brothers-in-law, Hiroshi Tahara, Shigeru Hirayama, Stephen Tazumi, Robert Yamamoto, sisters-in-law Yoriko Kaita and Amy Kaita, niece Kathy Inouye and nephew-in-law Ronald MacArthur.
Fred was born on November 29, 1937, in New Westminster, British Columbia. He was the third son and youngest of the seven Kaita children. The family relocated to Manitoba in June of 1942 when Fred was three years old. Fred completed high school at St John’s Tech and graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. In 1961 Fred graduated with an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. Fred worked in Toronto for a short time before he moved back to Winnipeg to begin a 33-year career at the Manitoba Telephone System.
Fred married Chris in 1991 and the arrival of their son Riley came in October 1996. Riley was one of Fred’s greatest joys. The birth of Riley gave Fred the opportunity to embrace fatherhood. He said that parenting often times tested his patience yet was the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of his life.
Fred enjoyed a long retirement. He was an avid gardener, and many people were the beneficiaries of his bountiful harvest each year. His yard was a beautiful display of flowers, particularly canna lilies, roses and begonias. He enjoyed many summers at Tall Timber Lodge, fishing, playing cards and spending time with family and friends.
Fred was very active within the Japanese Canadian community in Winnipeg. He volunteered and was mayor of the Japanese Pavilion, was an active member of the Japanese Canadian Citizens Association and was a member of the President’s committee from 1984 to 1988 when the National Association of Japanese Canadians gained redress for their forced relocation from the Coast of British Columbia.
Fred will be remembered for his love of life and of course, the Kaita laugh. You always knew when he was in a room by his distinctive laugh. He loved people and he loved to party! He was a kind soul, patient and generous to a fault.
We would like to say thank you to family and friends for their unwavering support during the past few years of Fred’s illness. Thank you to the many home care aides who assisted Fred to be able to stay home for as long as possible, especially Susan, Blake and Edward whom he had a particular fondness for. A special thank you to the nurses, care aides and cleaning staff in Unit 3U2 at the Seven Oaks hospital and especially Dr. Finlayson for his kind and compassionate guidance near Fred’s end of life.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple, 39 Tecumseh Street at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Manitoba Buddhist Temple or the Japanese Canadian Association of Manitoba.