George Murakami

MURAKAMI, George May 6th, 1925 - July 3rd, 2010We are sad to announce the passing of our Dad, George, at the age of 85. Dad passed away peacefully in his sleep after a courageous battle with cancer. Dad is once again enjoying the company of our Mom and his wonderful wife of 63 years, Nancy who predeceased him just 16 days previous. Survived by his children Carol-Lynn (George), Gerry (Sharon), Eunice (Mike), and Brad, and grandchildren Kelly, Shannon, Alina, Richard, Kyle, and great-grandchildren Anastasia and Lise. Many times Dad spoke of the happy and laugh filled reunion when both he and Mom would reunite again, and so we take great comfort that he is in a very good place. Dad maintained an incredibly positive attitude right to the end and we'll always be so very proud to be his family. Dad was born and raised in Steveston B.C., and later met Nancy in Manitoba where they got married in 1947. They later relocated on River Road in Sunbury (Delta) where they raised their four children. Dad was an excellent and hard working commercial gillnet salmon fisherman who fished the B.C coastline and the Fraser River all his life. He had many wonderful and fun-filled years with his 'Number One Deckhand' Nancy by his side. He owned 3 boats, the last of which was the `Carol-Lynn', which was built in 1968. Dad also spent his off seasons working as a skilled cabinet-maker and finishing carpenter for his many friends in the area. Dad was a member of the UFAWU since 1952 where he was also Secretary Treasurer of the North Delta Local for many years. He had a great sense of community, being involved with the Boy Scouts, Sunbury Hall Society, the Delborough Social Club and Delborough Karaoke Club. His family home and his father's boatshop at Britannia Heritage Shipyards in Steveston is now a National Historic Site. Mom and Dad started bowling in 1960 with the Fisherman's Bowling League and played for many decades. Dad was an excellent bowler and still had great form last summer when he out-bowled us all. Mom and Dad loved to travel to Hawaii with family and friends, that was always a highlight of their year. There will be an open house 'Celebration of Life' on August 21st, 2010 from 1-4 pm for both Mom and Dad in the upstairs banquet room at the Shelter Island Marina Pub in Richmond BC, (6911 Graybar Rd off of Westminster Hwy, right on the Fraser River). The facility is wheelchair accessible with an elevator at the south entrance. Thank you for all the kind thoughts and condolences sent to our family, and a big thank you to the staff at the Laurel Place Hospice in Surrey, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either The Surrey Hospice Society or the BC Cancer Foundation in Dad's memory. Condolences for the family may be emailed to erousseau@bccrc.ca. Together again, together forever