Mr. Fred Sasaki (centre) received a special commendation from Consul General of Japan.
(Photo courtesy of the Momiji Health Care Society)
Prominent Member of the Japanese Canadian Community Receives Consul General’s Commendation
A special ceremony was held on Oct. 23 at the Momji Centre, a facility for seniors administered by the Momiji Health Care Society, for one of the Society's esteemed founding members. Distinguished representatives of the Japanese Canadian community gathered to witness Mr. Fred Sasaki receive a commendation from the Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Mr. Eiji Yamamoto.
Members of the Japanese Canadian community gathered for the ceremony.
Mr. Sasaki was born in Hiroshima in 1918, but moved to Vancouver at the age of 9 months. In 1939, he enrolled in the University of British Columbia as a student of Commerce and Finance.
However, with the start of the Second World War, his family along with other Japanese Canadians were uprooted from Vancouver. Mr. Sasaki was forced to move inland to Calgary but there was able to complete his studies by correspondence. He completed his degree with first class honours.
In 1943, Mr. Sasaki moved east to Toronto, working various jobs to help relocate his family here. He began work for Canadian Tire and stayed with the company for 45 years, eventually becoming Vice President of Finance and Corporate Treasurer. The now famous Canadian Tire money was first issued in 1958. From this time to 1985, each coupon displayed Mr. Sasaki’s signature.
Mr. Sasaki also devoted a great deal of time and effort to benefit the Japanese Canadian community. He devoted time and energy assisting in the operations of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Thirty-five years ago, he also became one of the founding members of the Momiji Health Care Society. Mr. Sasaki provided invaluable business expertise to the Society at a time when it was working to construct the now celebrated Momiji Centre. Today, the Centre is of tremendous benefit to elderly members of the Japanese Canadian community.
Consul General Eiji Yamamoto gives his remarks.
In his remarks, Consul General Yamamoto noted how Mr. Sasaki overcame tremendous hardships to achieve his remarkable accomplishments, and expressed his appreciation to Mr. Sasaki for his immense contribution to society. Following the Consul General, Mrs. Pamela Waintraub, Chair of the Momiji Health Care Society, gave details on Mr. Sasaki’s contributions to the Society and gave a toast in his honour. Mr. Sasaki in response expressed his thanks for the commendation, and for the support he has received from the community in the past.
Mrs. Pamela Waintraub, Chair of the Momiji Health Care Society,
recounts Mr. Sasaki's contributions.
Mr. Sasaki and Consul General Yamamoto pose with family and friends.
The Commendation