NORI HIGA

1923 - 2004

Mr. Noriyasu (Nori) Higa, beloved husband of Mrs. Shinako (Sheila) Higa of Taber, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 12, 2004 at the age of 80 years.  
Nori was born on October 10, 1923 in Okinawa, Japan.  He immigrated with his family to Canada in 1927 and resided in White Rock, B.C.  In 1942 their family was interned to Stirling, Alberta where they worked on a sugar beet farm.  They made a permanent home in Taber in 1948.  In 1953 Nori married Shinako Yasui and together raised their six children.  Nori worked for Lucerne Foods for 25 years, retiring in 1988.   
Nori is survived by his loving wife Sheila and six children Leslie (Mary Jean) of Lethbridge, Gary (Danna) of Barnwell, Brenda (Lester) Tanner of Taber, Donna (Ray) Journoud of Taber, Sharon (Arlon) Bauer of Calgary, Randy of Taber and special mention to Penny Cochlan of Lethbridge and Cheryl Edwards of Mountain View; ten grandchildren Kame and Raiden Higa of Lethbridge, Paul, Kimber and Mariko Higa of Calgary, David Higa of Barnwell, Blake Higa of Mountain View and Raymond, Taylor and Tyler Journoud of Taber.  He is also survived by a brother Masayoshi Roy (Helen) Higa of Taber; three sisters Fumie (Gin) Nakama of Lethbridge, Fujiko (Joe) Nakama of Lethbridge and Yasue Maruyama of Taber; a sister-in-law in Japan and many nieces, nephews and special cousins; Kay Higa of Lethbridge, Nancy (Ken) Setoguchi of Taber and Judy (Mas) Kawaguchi of Hope, B.C.  Nori is also survived by his mother-in-law Tsuyu Yasui of Richmond, B.C., brothers-in-law Shozo (Mitzi) Yasui of Edmonton, Fukashi (Chiyo) Yasui of Burnaby, B.C., Atsushi Yasui of Surrey, B.C., Frank Masuhara of Vancouver and Tom (Isabel) Yakashiro of Aldergrove, B.C.  
Nori was predeceased by his grandparents Matsuzo and Kame Higa, his parents Matsu and Tomi Higa, a brother Jinsei, father-in-law Ukiyoshi Yasui, brother-in-law Ken Maruyama, sisters-in-law Wakako Masuhara and Ayako Yakashiro, uncle and aunt Nobuo and Haruko Sato and a cousin George Higa.  
Nori was an avid curler in his younger years.  His hobbies included gardening, fishing, hunting, riding his bicycle and coin collecting. He enjoyed watching curling, hockey and other sports.  He particularly enjoyed watching his kids and grandsons play hockey and took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren.  Nori was an active member of the Taber Buddhist Temple and will be missed by all who knew him.  
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel (5006-48 Ave.) Taber on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.  
The Funeral Service will be held at the Taber Buddhist Temple (Johnson Addition) on Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Yasuo Izumi officiating.