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Dean Ishii Obituary
May 29, 1933 ~ August 22, 2009
MONTEREY - Dean Y. Ishii, 76, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2009, at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. He was born on May 29, 1933, in Kapaa, Hawaii to Dean and Masako Ishii. Dean was the oldest of four children in the family. Dean spent his youth growing up in Kapaa and attended Kauai High and Mid-Pacific Institute. He attended the University of Hawaii for two years and then finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California. He completed dental school at USC and then was drafted into the U.S. Army Dental Corp. where he served for two years at Ft. Ord, CA. During his tour at Ft. Ord, the ocean stimulated his fishing and healthy aspirations which inspired him to begin his career here. While opening his dental practice in Seaside, he also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for four years. He maintained his Seaside dental practice for 40+ years before becoming the founder and CEO of DYI Properties, Inc.
Known to some friends as "Fishii Ishii", he loved all aspects of fishing from promoting fishing derbies at Lake El Estero to fishing on his boat in the Monterey Bay. If he wasn't fishing, he could usually be found at the "library" aka satellite horse racing at the Monterey Turf Club. He also spent time supporting various local youth sports groups and looked forward to watching the Bronco World Series every summer. He was an active member and past president of the Seaside Rotary Club and most proud of his 25+ years of perfect attendance. Also, he was an active member of the Carmel River Steelhead Assn. and Japanese American Citizens League.
Dean is survived by his wife, Masami Ishii; children, Dean Ishii (Carolyn) of Mead, WA, Linden Ishii (Janice) of Salinas, CA, Galen Ishii (Sylvia) of Monterey, CA, and Joy Ishii of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Derek and Marissa, Kristy and Brian, Sean and Grace; sister, Pauline Yanagisawa (Rudy) of Kailua, HI; brothers, Lloyd Ishii (Linda) of Seaside, CA, and Robert Ishii (Diane) of El Segundo, CA.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Dean will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at El Estero Presbyterian Church in Monterey. Aloha attire in honor of Dean is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be sent to: Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County, P.O. Box 97, Seaside, CA 93955 or El Estero Presbyterian Church, 490 Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA 93940, or one's own favorite charity.
Care was entrusted to Bayside Community Mortuary; friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.baysidecommunitymortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dean Ishii
Sponsored by His Loving Family, we love you and miss you..
Carl Andersen
September 16, 2009
To Dean's family. I just today learned of Dean's passing. I first met Dr. Ishii when he hired my wife to clean his office after school. That was around 1960.
After the loss of my wife he became my dentist and I believe a good friend. He took me under his wing and I thank God that I was able to meet this wonderful and gracious man and he will be in my prayers always.
Galen Ishii
September 11, 2009
Dear Dad,
I've been thinking of you everyday and wanted you to know how much I miss you. I love you Dad. Some days are really difficult but I know you would want me to be happy and enjoy life. Thanks for the wonderful memories that you provided to me and our family.
Love,
Galen
Deb Allred
September 6, 2009
Galen and family,
So sorry to read this. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
August 31, 2009
Dear Ishi Family,
I was blessed to serve in the Rotary Club with Dean for many years. He was very highly thought of and will be missed by all fello Rotarians. I am so very sad to know, that when I visit my old club, he will not be there to brighted our meeting with his big hearty smile. Our thoughts are with you all. Regards,
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Schwartz
Surfside Beach, South Carolina
August 29, 2009
To the Ishii family my heart and sympathy go out to you. You have lost a key player in your family. I can remember many years ago when I first met Uncle Dean, he made a quarter come out of my ear...My favorite was when I got to choose a number and if it came up on a dollar bill at least three times I got to keep the dollar.The best of all he could always make me laugh...I'm going to miss you...
Mercy, Mary, Melissa and Frances
August 29, 2009
We fondly remember Dr. Ishii's words of advice when wondering what to wear in Hawaii..."All you need is a muumuu and the warm Hawaiian breeze."
Jim Rinehart
August 29, 2009
My deepest sympathy to the entire Ishii family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
State Farm Insurance
Kevin, Dagmar and Orion Keehan
August 29, 2009
Our deepest condolences to the entire Ishii family. Dean touched a lot of families including ours. The world lost a great human being, we could always count on Dean bringing a smile to our faces with his great stories, he will be greatly missed. Our love and prayers go out to the entire family.
David Webb
August 29, 2009
My heartfelt sympathy goes to the Ishii family. Dr. Ishii always embraced a warm friendly smile and shared kind words wherever I was around. I will miss him.
The Guerrero Family
August 28, 2009
Our deepest condolences to the Ishii family. A warm and fun loving gentleman who will always be remembered with a big smile and great stories.
Ray Chatten
August 28, 2009
So sorry to hear about Dean's passing. He was a good fishermen and I know that one day all of us who fished together will once again wet a line.
Sincerely,
("Ocho Ray")Chatten
Patient & Acquaintance
August 27, 2009
My condolences to the entire ishii family. The community lost a good, friendly, and helpful man. He will be surely missed. He will be in our prayers.
August 27, 2009
What a joyous man who always had a great chuckle, a big heart and a fun story to tell... we will miss him greatly! Big hugs to you all!
Fondly,
Tamara and John Mims
The Fukushima Family
August 26, 2009
So sad to hear. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ishii Family. We will miss seeing your wonderful smile at Ocean Sushi. Love, The Fukushimas & the Ocean Sushi Family
A fisherman
August 26, 2009
Dr. Ishii: He was a grand dentist and a superior fisherman. He knew when the mackeral was running on the wharf in Monterey. He would come by and fish with the rest of us. He was a happy fisherman and could tell funny stories when around friends. He will be missed.
valerie mcdonough
August 26, 2009
My sympathy to the Ishi family
Bruce Satow
August 26, 2009
Ishii Family,
I am very sorry to hear of Dean's passing. I still remember spending the night and going to the harness races the next day. I always enjoyed chatting with Dean when I ran into him on the peninsula. He will be missed by all.
Fondly,
Bruce
Gary,Laurie, & Sarah Dennis
August 26, 2009
Our prayers are with the entire Ishii family right now. We all have great memories of our friendship with Dean from the past 20 years. He was always helping someone in some way. He will be greatly missed, but always with us as an angel up above.
Teresa Vigil
August 26, 2009
My deepest sympathies to the Ishii family. I thank you for all you did for me. I enjoyed working for you. You were a good friend, someone that was always willing to help with anything. You will be missed
Letiica Gaytan
August 26, 2009
My dearest sympathies to the Ishii family. Dean was the best boss ever, always joking around with the girls in the office and making it a fun and wonderful place to work in. We will all miss him.
Greg Omoto
August 26, 2009
I am saddened to hear the passing of Mr Ishii (Coach). My condolences to Linden and Gaylen and the entire Ishii family. I saw Coach last year at a baseball tournament I was umpiring and we spoke about various issues, mostly about youth baseball, his grandkids, my kids and in general kids today.
Coach Ishii was an inspiration for me when I was growing up playing baseball. I remember when he coached in the Monterey Youth League he would do magic tricks for his players and as I was on the opposing team he would always call me "Greggie, come over here" and he would show me one of his magic tricks, it meant a lot to me as I was the only opposing player he would call over.
One thing Coach told me and to this day is embedded in me, was to have fun playing baseball...this is what I instill in my coaching today, have fun playing the game....it's just a game.
Thank you Mr Ishii, you will be missed but certainly not forgotten and thank you for bringing a little magic into my life.
Dunn Family
August 26, 2009
So sorry hear about Dr. Ishii's passing. He will be missed! I could always count on him for PTA Fundraisers and Monterey Pony Baseball fundraisers...Always a smiling face! Thank you Dr. Ishii for loving us all! Sincerely,
Jim Ganson
August 26, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ishii family. I always enjoyed my chats with Dean. I am grateful that our paths crossed and out of the relationship I gained a great friend. He will be missed.
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