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Kazushige Ito Obituary
Kazushige Ito was born in Hiroshima, but he loved New York. "I think he loved New York more than a lot of native New Yorkers," said his wife, Yuko Ito.
Living on the corner of 66th Street and Columbus Avenue, he jogged regularly in Central Park, visited Lincoln Center every weekend and explored the city's French, Italian, Vietnamese and Indian restaurants. Last year, he ran in the New York City Marathon. "He was in heaven," Mrs. Ito said.
In Japan, Mr. Ito used to spend $600 for an opera ticket; a fraction of that got him some of the best seats at the Metropolitan Opera. Last year, he watched more than 20 operas. His favorite was "Aida."
He was training to run in the Philadelphia Marathon. "Last year, it took him four hours and 18 minutes to run the New York City Marathon," Mrs. Ito said. "He wanted to finish in four hours this year. I think he could have done it. It would be Nov. 18, one day before his birthday." He would have been 36.
For Fuji Bank, where Mr. Ito was a planning specialist, the couple had relocated from Yokohama to Tokyo to Manila. They came to New York in 1998. "If this hadn't happened, we would have settled here," Mrs. Ito said. "He loved New York the best."
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Fean Asprer
September 13, 2011
Mr. Ito was my very first boss when I went to work at Fuji Bank Manila Branch in 1997. He used to hum arias from Aida and even lent me DVDs of some of his favorite operas. I continue to pray for him and the many people we lost that day. Special prayers, to you, too, Mrs. Ito. Keep the love always.
K O
March 29, 2011
Hello,Mr.Ito.
I'm same age with you-but now I'm 45,It gives me strange and sad feeling.
When I heard the news of WTC,10 years ago,at first I worried about my collage friend who is working at Fuji-bank,didn't know which branch he was.
You might remember,in our generation,lots of students with good grades wanted to find a job in bank,So,I saw many Japanese name similar age to me,in a list of WTC victims..who were hard working people,and cut off their future middle or less of life..
Mr.Ito,If I can hope something,I hope you found comfort place somewhere,and Mrs.Ito feel pain of her heart a little less than 10 years ago.
Don Bashline
April 4, 2008
Like Michele Sinclair, who posted below, I also dedicated my 2001 run in the Philly Marathon to Mr. Ito, and hoped to break 4 hours as well. I didn't quite make it - I missed by 3 minutes and 2 seconds. As I crossed the finish line, elated but disappointed, my first thought was "I owe him one." This year I am back in shape and ready for another try. Seven years is not long enough for any of us to forget what happened, nor to forget the friends and loved ones that were lost. This run will be my small way of commemorating Mr. Ito's effort.
Doug Abraham
November 19, 2007
Happy Birthday!!!
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P Tabbernor
November 15, 2006
In memory....
Kristine
November 6, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Laura Rush
September 11, 2002
Yuko -
Please know that I think of you often. I am so sorry for your loss.
I love you!
"Sister" Laura
Diane Koshi
September 9, 2002
Dear Mrs. Ito,
On Wednesday, Sept. 11th at 8:46 a.m., in memory of your husband, Kazushige, I will be singing Mozart's "Requiem" with a chorus from the community of Honolulu. We are participants in a global memorial to the victims of 9/11. The Mozart "Requiem" will be sung at 8:46 A.M. in every time zone beginning in New Zealand and ending in Hawaii. I will be wearing a button with your husband's name and singing in his memory. After I selected your husband's name and researched who he was, I was surprised at similarities which we share. My father's family is also from Hiroshima and I grew up in Yokohama. I am a member of the Hawaii Opera Theater Chorus and prepare the Children's Chorus for the opera productions. My deepest condolences to you and yours.
Requiem aeternam...
Aloha,
Diane Koshi
Angie Campbell
May 2, 2002
Rest in peace..........
Karen Pantig
March 12, 2002
Dear Mrs. Ito,
I am thankful for the three years I had with Fuji because it allowed me to meet wonderful people like you and Mr. Ito. You know that I consider you both as good friends despite as not always being in touch. I will always cherish the beautiful memories we have shared--from Manila to New York. And I hope that we can continue to
make good memories after Mr. Ito's passing away.
My family and I join you in your prayers.
Always,
Karen
February 4, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN KAZUSHIGE ITO AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA..NEW YORK AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF JAPAN.MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..AMEN
Michele Sinclair
January 4, 2002
To Ito-san's wife:
Yuko-san (forgive my non-traditional greeting),
I read about your husband in the Portraits of Grief. I am so sorry for your loss.
I never met your husband, but there are some similarities in his life and my own. Our love of running. Kazushige-san's first NYC marathon was the same year as mine and we finished in the same time. I trained, this year, to finish the Philadelphia Marathon in 4 hours.
Yuko-san, I finished the marathon on November 18th in 3 hours and 58 minutes. I believe that Kazushige-san was running with me.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Teresa Jahn
December 28, 2001
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
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