SASAKI, George Hifumi (1915-2009)

     George Hifumi Sasaki was born on February 17, 1915  in Auburn, California to Suekichi and Torayo (Kawamoto) Sasaki. George was sent to Japan to live with his relatives and attended school there.  On May 16, 1932, George and his sister, Narumi, returned to the U.S. and went to the Los Angeles area where his parents were.

     On August 7, 1942, George and his brothers, Tsutomu and Masao Henry were evacuated from  Reedley, California, arrived at Parker, Arizona, and transported to the Poston, Arizona internment camp block 326-11-D on the day the temperature was over 120 degrees. At Poston, George was elected Block 326 Manager, and a member of the Red Cross.  He met Chiyeko Mary Fujita (Poston block 325-1-B) and on September 25, 1943, they were married and lived at block 326-13-E.  In the summer of 1945, they had their first child at Poston, Emi Carline.  George and his family left Poston on August 8, 1945 and immediately resettled in Fresno, and later moved to  Visalia.

     In 1950, George started a gardening business, and was an active member of the Visalia Buddhist Temple.  He was honored for his dedicated service at the 100th Anniversary celebration in 2007. George Hifumi Sasaki  passed away on October 13, 2009 at the age of 94.  He was preceded in death by brothers, Masao Henry (1985), and Tsutomu Harry (1997); and sister, Narumi (1995).

     He is survived by wife Chiyeko; daughter Emi (Aki) Nakao; and son Ronald.

Sources: Published on October 17, 2009.