THURSDAY, July 2, 2020

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 2, 2020.

CLAPPISON

ROBERT GEORGE CLAPPISON, beloved husband of the late Anne Clappison, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at the Fairmont Extendicare on June 28, 2020 at the age of 88 years.

He is the loving father of Barbara Trottier of Barrie, ON., Evelyn (Steve) Bennett of Hamilton, ON. and Susan (Chris) Rioux of Lethbridge, AB. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with one more to arrive in December of 2020.

Besides his wife Anne (d. 2011), Robert was predeceased by his son Brian in 2016.

At Robert’s request, no formal Funeral Service will take place.

Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

SABURO KAMITAKAHARA

September 24, 1931 – June 26, 2020

We are sad to announce the passing of Sab at the age of 88 after a short experience with pancreatic cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kiyomi, son Andrew (Kim Walker), daughter Holly (Scott MacMillan), and grandsons, Sam, George, and Alfie.

He also leaves to mourn, surviving siblings George, Nobby, Harold (Julie), and Kay, sisters-in-law Emily and Naomi, brothers-in-law Alan and Gary (Carole), as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his first wife Mary Sueko Matsuno, parents Yaye and Fred, sister Ayako (Seizi) Omae, sister Akiko (Eiichi) Harada, brother Alfie (Rosie), and sister-in-law Kazie.

Sab was born on September 24, 1931 at Vancouver Cannery, Eburne (Sea Island), BC. During WWII, his family was relocated to the interior internment towns near Slocan, BC. In 1946, the family moved to the sugar beet farms in Turin and Taber. He graduated from Taber High School, and in 1951, his family moved to Lethbridge. He was employed as an accountant at Fleming Motors for almost 40 years, eventually becoming a part-owner until his retirement.

Sab was a member of Henderson Lake Golf Club since 1956, getting in over 100 rounds of the game that he loved every year until his last. During the winters, he spent time curling with the Lethbridge Curling Club.

Above all else, he valued his family, and was proud to know that he had close relationships with all of his Kamitakahara, Kobayashi, and Matsuno relatives. He enjoyed his many friendships, and was always generous with his time.

A small private family service will be held. Due to Covid-19 concerns, a reception for friends and other loved ones will be held at a later date.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Walsh, Dr. Boora, Dr. Roth, Dr. Hundal, Dr. Kwan, and all of the kind nurses who were involved in his care. We gratefully decline flowers or koden. Donations may instead be made in his honour to a charity of your choice.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

MELVIN

GORDON ALEXANDER MELVIN, beloved husband of Sharone Melvin of Lethbridge, passed away surrounded by family at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at the age of 72 years.

Along with his wife, he is lovingly remembered by his children, Greg (Sue) Melvin and Roxanne Valgardson (Jon) of Lethbridge; four cherished and precious granddaughters, Darby and Sydney Melvin and Gracee and Maisy Valgardson; sister Nancy (Ron) Clarke, brothers Rob Melvin (Julie) and Don Melvin; special nephew “Bobby”; nieces and nephews, Rhonda, Diane, Kait, Jonathan and Christopher; as well as several brothers and sisters-in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Alec and Agnes Melvin, brother Kenny and sister Sharon, brother-in-law Allan Plausteiner and nephew Jason Sheppard.

Gordon was born in Lethbridge on August 28, 1947 and attended school and Community College in Lethbridge. In 1967 he married Sharone Stenbeck and have celebrated 52 years together.

Gordon worked in Security Services at the University of Lethbridge and retired in 2012 after serving 26 years.

He was an avid outdoorsman his entire life and enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and golfing. Gordon was a member of the Cowley Lions Club for 18 years and made many friends. Along with Sharone and Carol Walter, he managed the Castle River Rodeo Campground on behalf of the Cowley Lions Club for 19 years – many knew him as “Warden Gordon”.

Gordon loved and owned motorcycles his whole life but in 2009, his dream of owning a Harley Davidson came true. Over the years he enjoyed many riding adventures around Alberta and BC.

He also had a love for all animals and will be truly missed by his faithful dog, Willow.

Gordon was a loving husband and father however the true joys of his life were his granddaughters. He had a huge personality, a great sense of humour and a kind heart. Gordon will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Gordon’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 St. S, Lethbridge, AB on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 2:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at an informal gathering immediately following the service at McNally Community Centre.

In memory of Gordon, please consider a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association: Unit 522, 1300 University Ave., Toronto, ON M5G 2R5 or to the Kidney Foundation of Canada: 6007 – 1A St. SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0G5.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

O’DONNELL

TERRANCE JOSEPH O’DONNELL, beloved husband of Susan, passed away at Piyami Place on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at the age of 75 years.

Besides his loving wife, Terry is survived by his daughter, Tara (Darren) Van Zeggelaar; his sons, Michael (Cheralan) and Bradley; his six wonderful grandchildren, Connor, Isabella, Mikalan, Riley, Maizy and Olive; his sister, Patricia (Jack) Whimster, and his sisters-in-law, Cheryl O’Donnell and Rose Gray.

He was predeceased by his parents, Thelma and Fred, and his two brothers, Jim and Dennis.

Terry was born in Taber and raised in Picture Butte. He devoted 35 years of his life to teaching, and it was more than just a profession to him—it was how he lived his life. He had a passion for both coaching and playing sports, golfing almost every day and coaching his children and the community in nearly every sport. In his later years, he loved watching his grandchildren play, and still often “coached” from the stands.

Terry’s faith was the foundation for his life. He was a devout Catholic, attending St. Catherine’s Parish his entire life. After retiring from teaching, he continued to devote his life to education through his elected position as a trustee for the Holy Spirit School Board, and served the community with the Knights of Columbus with his position as a 3rd and 4th Degree Knight. He will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family during a Prayer Service held at ST. CATHERINE’S CHURCH, 762 Crescent Ave., Picture Butte, AB on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 7:00 PM, with a Viewing to begin at 6:30 PM.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. CATHERINE’S CHURCH on Friday, July 3, 2020 at 11:00 AM.

Both the Prayer Service and the Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and made available to watch via Terry’s online obituary. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limited indoor space, please RSVP your attendance for either or both services to Cornerstone Funeral Home at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca.

There will be an opportunity to pay respects to the family at the O’Donnell residence for an outdoor gathering following the Funeral Mass.

Please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society at http://www.alzheimer.ca/donate.

A huge thank-you to the staff at Piyami Place for going above and beyond with their love and compassion toward Terry.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

SUGIMOTO

Mrs Kazuko “Kaz” Sugimoto beloved wife of the late Noboru “Nob” Sugimoto and beloved aunt of numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and Japan died Monday, June 29, 2020 at the age of 93 years.

Kazuko was born January 29, 1927 in Shigaken, Japan and came to Canada with her mother, Shizue Hotta, when she was 6 months old to join her father, Matao Hotta, in Queensboro, New Westminster, BC. The family lived in New Westminster until they were evacuated to Tashme, BC in 1946. The Hotta family chose to return to Japan after the war.

Kazuko worked with the US Army, in Japan, as a translator and then with Scandinavian Airlines at the Haneda Airport. During this time, she travelled extensively. In 1965 she returned to Canada to marry Noboru Sugimoto.

She was predeceased by her husband, Noboru in 2016; and in Japan her father, Matao in 1954; her mother Shizue in 1965 and brothers, Toshiko in 2014, Hideo in 2010 and Hiroshi in 2005. She is survived, in Japan, by her niece and two nephews and was very close to her nephew, Toshiaki Hotta, in particular. In Canada, she was beloved and is survived by numerous members of the Sugimoto and Nishiyama families.

Kazuko loved to travel and visited many countries in Europe and South America while living in Japan. After her marriage she travelled mainly in North America. Kaz was a very active member of Momiji Dancers (Japanese classic dance), the Tonarigumi Society and sang with various karaoke groups over the years. She was a member of the Buddhist faith and was a strong supporter of Buddhist and Japanese traditional activities. She was an active bowler and golfer until a few years ago,

She was a wonderfully, loving and caring person, and always put others needs and wants before her own. She will be missed.

A Private family Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Flowers and Koden are gratefully declined.

To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

TANIGUCHI

Shizue “Shirley” Taniguchi of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Robert “Bob” Taniguchi passed away Sunday, June 28, 2020 at the age of 92 years.

Shirley will be remembered by her children; Joanne (Hal) O’Gilvie, Cathy Taniguchi, Alan Taniguchi, David Taniguchi and Rick (Donna) Taniguchi; 4 grandchildren; sisters-in-law Ayak & Betty Taniguchi as well as her numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Besides her loving husband Bob, Shirley was predeceased by her brothers Joe, Sam, Harry and Ken Tatebe.

A Private family service will be held on Friday July 3, 2020 at the Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home, Lethbridge, Alberta.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of West Highlands Care Centre of the Good Samaritans Society for the care they provided.

To send condolences please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

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