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TAMASHIRO

"Joe" Majoen

Aug. 3, 1923 - Nov. 17, 2014

If you were lucky enough to know Joe (Majoen) Tamashiro, please know that his turn has come. "Everybody gets a turn", he said recently when he could tell that the end of his life was approaching. Joe died peacefully at the Lacombe Hospital in the early morning of Nov. 17th, 2014. "Joe" was the name everyone called him but he was born Majoen Tamashiro at his family's farm in Bashaw, Alberta. He learned many values on that farm as a kid. He learned the value of hard work by helping tend to the vast vegetable garden his family grew every year. He learned how to be generous from watching his parents give vegetables to people who needed them the most. He learned to balance tolerance and toughness from being a Japanese person in a small, mostly white community. He learned how to be a good provider from tossing armfuls of carrots, potatoes and onions into the boiling water of a drum barrel so even the pigs could have food to eat. No one would ever go hungry while Joe was around. Joe was married to Bev and they lived in Blackfalds their whole lives. Joe worked as a highway builder. He'd be away from his family for weeks at a time to be a good provider. It was hard work but if you drive on a highway in Alberta there's a good chance Joe helped build it. After Bev died Joe had a whole new different life. He surprised the whole family by how social he became. He'd go for coffee everyday to meet his pals to complain about the gov't. He took up golfing, bingo and slot machines. He loved to drive all over Alberta on those highways he built to snoop around small towns and old haunts. Sometimes he would even go on short trips to Reno or Vancouver for a change of view. He made many new friends including a new best friend. Joe has two sons and a daughter, six grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law and brothers and sisters that will miss him very much. If you were lucky enough to know Joe Tamashiro please know that he valued your friendship. He wants you to attend a celebration of his life. It will take place in Blackfalds in the Banquet Room located at the Blackfalds Multiplex (5302 Broadway Ave.) on Nov. 28th, 2014 at 12:00 noon. It is located on the second floor. There is an elevator available. Donations can be made in Joe's memory to the Lung Association's direct link www.bitly.com/JoeTamashiroDonations

Condolences may be made by visiting

www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca

WILSON'S FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM

serving Central Alberta with locations in Lacombe

and Rimbey in charge of arrangements. Phone: 403.782.3366 or 403.843.3388

"A Caring Family,

Caring for Families"