Alexander Nishimura

Alexander Nishimura VIRGINIA BEACH - Alexander Nishimura, 47, passed away Dec. 21, 2010 after a long, courageous struggle with kidney failure and hemolytic anemia. He was born in New York City in 1963, the son of Utako Horie and William Nishimura. After his early years in New York, he attended and graduated cum laude from Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine, where he developed a love of astronomy and English. He attended the University of Pennsylvania majoring in geology, joining the ROTC with the hope of becoming a naval officer. This dream was fulfilled with Naval Flight School where he became a lieutenant and flight navigational officer on an A6 Intruder. His subsequent postings including trips to the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Patagonia as well as the various training courses were a great source of satisfaction for him. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1996, he settled in Virginia Beach where he could indulge in his other great love, fishing. He was active in advocating for the health of the waters off the Virginia coast. He returned to school at the ECPI College of Technology graduating with an associate degree in applied science-computer and information science, summa cum laude. In 2005, he accepted a position giving technical support and assistance at Dendrite International. The position could have been made for him, as Alex was always willing to help with any problem presented to him. He possessed a wide variety of interests, a sharp mind for detail, a love of obscure facts, and a cheerful, sardonic sense of humor. He was a lover of delicious food, an amazing cook, and a great friend. Alex will be greatly missed. Alex is survived by his devoted mother, Utako Horie of Queens, N.Y.; two uncles, Tsukasa and Takekazu Horie of Auburn, Maine; and three aunts, Sumiko, Kimiko and Michiko of Japan. He was particularly close to his cousins in Maine while he was growing up, Ryuko Horie Doscher of Lawrenceville, Ga., Takeyoshi Horie of Lunenberg, Mass., and Ayumi Horie of Cottekill, N.Y. His love of fishing stemmed from his summers in Maine where his grandmother, the late Mineko Horie, and his uncle Takekazu were avid fishermen and took him out both on the lakes of Maine and on the ocean. A gathering for family and friends will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.