IWASA KEN August 24, 1929 – March15, 2025. Died at age 95 years, in his Delmanor Retirement residence, where he had lived fiercely independent, strong-minded, gentle, and kind for the last several years.

Predeceased by wife, Kuniko (Kay), May 2020. Predeceased by parents (Bunshiro and Haru), brothers (Kazuo, Erichi (Casey), Teruo (Terry), Kiyoshi (Edward)), and his sister, Fumiko. Survived by Joiji (George) and Yoshimitsu (Arthur). Father to Kim Iwasa-Madge (Rick Madge), Carolyn Iwasa (Joe Farag), Douglas Iwasa (Tina Ryding). Grandfather to Daniel (Jaclyn), Kevin (Emily), Alexandra (Yoan), Jordan (Danielle), Kotone (Amanda), Connor (Kelsey), Kobe, Mia. Great grandfather to Quinn, Keira, Naomi.

Born on Aug 24, 1929 in New Westminster, British Columbia. In 1942, the family was given 24 hours’ notice to leave their residence as part of the Order-in-Council PC 1486, issued by the federal government of Canada. It would displace over 22, 000 Japanese Canadians from their homes. The family was split into three groups. Haru and the young children were sent to the Hastings Park Manning Pool Detention Centre, and shortly after forcibly deployed to Kaslo, B.C. After internment in the camp, Ken moved to join his family in Fort William, Ontario. Subsequently, he moved to Toronto, where he trained and worked as a diesel mechanic, fleet supervisor, and then service manager for International Harvester. He retired around 1981. Following that he worked as a mechanic for Scarborough Public Utilities, retiring in 1994.

Ken and Kay were married for 67 years. They raised three children in Scarborough. Ken was a dedicated spouse and father, spending significant time building ice rinks, ferrying his children to activities, and coaching hockey. An avid sportsman throughout his life, he enjoyed baseball, fishing, hunting, and golfing. In his later years, he was an enthusiastic pool and poker player. A true gentleman, he often was heard dispensing wisdom such as, “Take-the-high-road”, and “It is good to be humble… Humble people find things.”

Family service to be held in future.

Family extends heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Delmanor Retirement -Wynford, and the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care for their wonderful care of Ken.

Condolences may be sent to Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough, ON, L1K 1R1. Or you may express your memories and thoughts via this website.

If you wish to make a donation in Ken’s memory, please consider the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care - Sinai Health Foundation, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, or the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre. Links on this site under Donations.