It is with great sadness the family of Tom Kosaka announces his passing on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at the Rosedale Hospice in Calgary, Alberta. Tom passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the age of 83 years.
Tom is survived by his wife Katsuko, son Robert, daughters Sharon and Kay (Derrick) and grandchildren, Matthew and Jonathan and sisters Fujiko (Kinji - deceased), Hideko (Victor), Shigeko, Elizabeth (David - deceased), and extended family. He is predeceased by his sister Emiko (Fumio – deceased).
Born in Raymond, Alberta, Tom and his 5 sisters were raised by their father Shiyozo and mother Kinu Kosaka. His entire family contributed to farming their land in Raymond and focused on growing crops such as mustard, rye, and barley.
As a child, Tom attended a small one room schoolhouse that hosted Grades 1 to 12. After school each day, he would work on the family farm helping his parents with day-to-day farm work. After graduating high school, Tom attended SAIT in the late 50s and early 60s.
After graduating from SAIT, Tom continued to help his family until they sold the farm where he then moved to Lethbridge. As a young man, Tom traveled to Japan several times where he met his wife of 51 years, Katsuko.
Tom worked in the oil and gas plants in Picture Butte, then for Home Oil Gas plant in Carstairs for several years. He later relocated with his family to Calgary where he accepted a job with the University of Calgary and worked as a Power Plant and Steam engineer for over 25 years and then retired.
Tom was a loving, caring, thoughtful father and grandfather. He had a great memory and was able to share his stories as a child and young man with his grandchildren. He had a love of food, singing, karaoke, and participated in several choirs: The Kerby Chorus, The Perfectly Imperfect, and the singing group Kotobuki Karaoke in Calgary. He also loved country music, westerns, old tv shows and movies and in his younger days, enjoyed the sports of target shooting and curling.
The family is grateful for the kindness and care that Tom received from the doctors, nurses and staff at the AgeCare Walden Care Home, South Health Campus and especially the Rosedale Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial donations In Memory of Tom may be made directly to Hospice Calgary at: https://www.hospicecalgary.ca/donatenow or by mail to: Hospice Calgary, 1245 70 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 2X8 (Charitable Bus. Number: 11896 3669 RR0001).
A Private Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday May 11, 2021 with burial to follow at the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond AB.
Friends are welcome to meet with the family at SALMON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, (433 Stubb Ross Road South, Lethbridge) on Tuesday May 11, 2021 from 12:00 to 12:45pm. Please register for the visitation at the bottom of this page or by calling Salmon and Sons Funeral Home. Due to Covid restrictions, attendance will be limited to 10 guests at a time. Please wait in your vehicle until a staff member comes to get you. Facemasks are mandatory.
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