Yoshiyuki Oishi

YOSHIYUKI OISHI passed away peacefully with family at his side on April 21, 2008 at Chinook Regional Hospital, at the age of 81 years. He was the loving husband of Lilly Oishi for 51 years and the devoted father of Joyce (Dii Lewis) Oishi of San Francisco; Arlene (Jeff Coffman) Oishi of Lethbridge; Maurice (Johanne Doucet) Oishi of Calgary; Sheila Oishi of Lethbridge and his six grandchildren, Kazuo, Tomi, Yoshio, Kiyomi, Seiji and Taiga. A man of few words, he was still a very social person who loved the company and conversation of his extended family and many friends. A talented man, he thrived on using his skills to create, repair and invent. A solid, loyal man, he was cherished by his wife and children. Yosh was the first son of the ten children of Iwashige and Kuni (Machida) Oishi. He was born on the family farm in Raymond and lived there until 1938, when he was taken to live in Japan. In Japan, he attended college and, upon returning to Canada in 1951, earned his automotive and welding certificates from SAIT in Calgary. Yosh married Lilly Mori in 1957 and settled in Lethbridge where he worked as an auto mechanic. Yosh was hired by the Lethbridge Junior College in 1962 to establish the first automotive program and was an instructor for over 29 years. Yosh was active in the community, devoting time to the Lethbridge Buddhist Church, Chojukai, Kagoshima Kenjin Kai and helped to found the first karaoke club in Lethbridge. Yosh is survived by his mother, sisters Tamiko, Mieko, Yukiko and Takaeko and his brothers Tetsuro, Shinzo and Kunihiro, all of Japan. He is pre-deceased by his father and sister, Chieko. Yosh was always grateful to his Uncle Saneyoshi and Aunt Chika Oishi of Raymond for welcoming him back to Canada in 1951. He was very close to his cousins Yoichi (Heidi), Luri (Roy) Nagata; Jits (Rae); Sut (Neva); Rocky (Jean); Sam (June); Gilbert (Rose); and Mitsu (Clay) Tippett and his nephew Isao (Miyo) Morinaga, who immigrated to Southern Alberta in 1968. The family thanks Dr. Leam and the staff at CRH, Greystoke and Bridges for their years of care and concern for their father. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at the LETHBRIDGE BUDDHIST TEMPLE at 1303-13 Street North, Lethbridge with Rev. Izumi officiating. In lieu of koden, the family asks that donations be given to: Bridges Program, #207-200 4th Ave, Lethbridge AB T1J 4C9 or the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960-19th St S, Lethbridge AB T1J 1W5.

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