With immeasurable sorrow, Minoru Asaoka, a loving devoted husband, supportive and caring father, and doting grandfather, passed away with his wife by his side in Burnaby, on October 28, 2023, at the age of 92.
He was the youngest of four children to Toichirou and Sotono Asaoka, born in Vancouver BC on July 13, 1931. At the age of 8, Minoru left Canada with his siblings and mother for Shiga Japan to attend school. After a year, his mother returned to Canada, with Minoru and his siblings in the care of his grandfather Yosuya Asaoka. At 18, he returned to Canada to reunite with his parents who had been interned in New Denver BC during WWII.
A savvy hardworking businessman, Minoru learned autobody repair and opened his own shop, dedicating much of his time to the success of his business. Hardly ever out of his shop, he was steely focused on getting work done.
At the age of 31 Minoru married Michiko Terashita and had four children, Susan (Bruce, predeceased), Wayne (Naomi), Steve (Yukiko), and Jeffrey (Terri). He has six grandchildren, Bradley, Matthew, Kai, Tyler, Ema, and Michelle, and one step grandchild Kian.
Minoru retired at the age of 50 and has since learned to love singing with his karaoke group, tended to his vegetable garden, indulged in Sunday afternoon lunches with family, and enjoyed time with his wife Michiko. He loved life, was the pillar of the family, and will be eternally missed by all who knew him. His legacy of dedication, hard work, and commitment to family will forever inspire us in perpetuity. He will endlessly be loved and will live in our hearts.
A funeral service will be held at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple, 220 Jackson Ave, Vancouver, on November 10th, 2023, at 11:00 am.
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