Nikkei Place is saddened by the news that Mitsuo (Mits) Hayashi, one of many founders of Nikkei Place, passed away on January 29, 2021.
In Memory of Mitsuo & Emmie Hayashi
Mitsuo & Emmie Hayashi
Nikkei Place is saddened to share the news that Mitsuo (Mits) Hayashi, one of the founders of Nikkei Place, passed away on January 29, 2021. He was predeceased by his wife Emmie Hayashi, who passed away in August of 2019 after they retired and moved to Japan.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hayashi were longtime community leaders who tirelessly devoted their time, energies, and generous financial support to building and advocating for Nikkei Place, and the larger community, for over 20 years.
Mr. Hayashi served as the Vice-President of the National Nikkei Heritage Centre Society, Chair/Director of the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, a Board member of the Nikkei Place Foundation and the Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society. He contributed his time to the Canada-Japan Society of British Columbia, Nikka Health Care Society, Urasenke Tankokai Vancouver Association, Nikkei Community Shinnenkai, Vancouver Hakumon-kai, and the Vancouver Japanese United Church. For his contributions to the Japanese Canadian community, Mr. Hayashi was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in 2012 and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. In 2015, Nikkei Place awarded him the Japanese Culture Award.
Mitsuo and Emmie will be remembered for their many contributions to community building at Nikkei Place and beyond, and their dedication to promoting closer relations between Canada and Japan. Their volunteer spirit and generosity will be greatly missed. They leave behind a lasting legacy.
Honour Mitsuo & Emmie’s Legacy
Post a message of condolence, memory, or story below, or donate in their memory.
林光夫さん・恵美子さんへの記帳をどうぞ。
お悔やみ、ご夫妻との思い出など、お気軽に(日本語でも英語でも)ご記入ください。