Tom Oshiro

OSHIRO, Rev. Tom (Tommy) Saori March 13, 1928 - June 21, 2017 It is with great sadness that we say farewell to our beloved Brother, Father, Papa, Uncle and Pastor. He was the son of Okinawa immigrants, grew up in Kenora, ON and graduated with a BA from McMaster University. He began his pastoral ministry in Ontario to the communities of Emo and Barwick, Brantford (Immanuel Baptist) and Cambridge (King St. Baptist). He stepped into a post as Area minister of the Baptist Convention of Ontario & Quebec followed by a similar position with the Baptist Union of Western Canada, finally settling in Victoria as pastor of a local church once again, at Royal Oak Baptist Church. As his ministry there was coming to a close, he stepped in as Counsellor and eventually Pastor & Executive Director at the Mustard Seed Street Church, where he spent the remainder of his formal ministry retiring at the age of 84. Tom was a constant fixture in the Rotary Club and was given the 2002 Citizen of the Year Award in Victoria and also received the Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. His last 3 years were spent as part of the vibrant community at the Cridge Seniors Centre where he befriended anyone he shared a meal with. Tom will be remembered as one who poured out the love of Jesus to everyone he met and lavished kindness and compassion on all from the greatest to the least. Tom has left an invaluable legacy to his family. He was predeceased by his wife, Vietta, brothers, George, Hiro, Jim and sister Yoshiko. He is survived by his sisters, Mitzi, Lillian, his children Mike (Sue), Sandy (Russ), Barb (Garth), his 10 grandchildren and their 3 spouses. A Memorial Service will be held at Glad Tidings Church, 1800 Quadra St., Victoria on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be given to The Mustard Seed - Victoria or The Cridge Centre for the Family. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com