Joshua Tsunekatsu Yamada

The family of Joshua Tsunekatsu Yamada sadly announces his peaceful passing at age 92 on July 21, 2022.

Joshua was the youngest and last surviving son of Masanori Yamada and Asao Fujiwara Yamada.

He was predeceased by his brothers Steven, Peter, Isay, Samuel and Francis, as well by sister Fumiko that was Peter’s twin who died at birth. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Esther Wong Yamada. He will be deeply missed by his only daughter Catherine Yamada-Swan, his son-in-law Gordon Swan, his grand-daughter, Emily Swan and many other dear nieces, nephews and relations from the Yamada and Wong families.

Joshua was born in San Francisco, California but was raised with the rest of his family in Vancouver BC, before being displaced as a Japanese-Canadian family during WW II to Iona, Ontario in 1942 and then to St. Thomas, Ontario in 1943. His family eventually settled in Toronto, Ontario.

After graduating from St. Thomas College, Joshua obtained a B.A. in Mathematics at the University of Toronto, and an M.A. at Mathematics at McGill. He continued his post-graduate studies at California Technical University and the University of Chicago and eventually went on to be a lecturer in Mathematics at Athens University and Ohio State University in Columbus.

Joshua moved to Winnipeg in 1970 with his mother Asao, and became the second husband of Esther Yamada and the adopted father of Catherine. They enjoyed a happy and endearing life together on the family hobby farm in Oakbank, MB until Esther’s passing in 2017 after 46 years of marriage. Joshua then spent his remaining years in his retirement home at the Parkway in Winnipeg.

Joshua enjoyed painting, calligraphy, computer science, astronomy, and continued his love of books, mathematics and sudoku throughout his life. Together, with Esther he enjoyed singing, piano, and growing magnificent award-winning orchids. They were ardent patrons of the performing arts: theatre, ballet, opera and symphony. Joshua and Esther were known for their active volunteer work at local events, and were proud to be part of the Pan Am Games in 1999. They were members of the Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba. With Esther and Cathy, Joshua shared his passion for horse-back riding/show jumping, and enjoyed many walks in Bird’s Hill Park. He always cared deeply for their many dogs, cats and horses.

The family will be holding a private interment at Thomson "In the Park" Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard.