Obituary of Kazuhiko Takahashi

Kazuhiko “Tiger” Takahashi died peacefully surrounded by his family members on January 8, 2018, at the age of 68. Born on August 6^th, 1949 in Tokyo, Japan, he is the son of Mariko and Masanori, and one of 4 children. He is survived by his wife Kyoko, and sons Rainer (Danielle) and Leo. Predeceased by his sister Reiko, and survived by brothers Masataka and Yoshinori (Hiroko), brothers in law Haruo (Saeko), Hiro (Yuriko), and Katsuo, as well as nieces Asuka (Paul) and Rie, and nephews Nakanari, Yosuke (Mimi), Taichi (Yukiko), Musashi (Akiko), and Taro.

As a young man Tiger attended Hokkaido University, and his adventurous spirit took him travelling around the US and Canada via hitchhiking and Greyhound bus. He later worked at IBM Japan where he met his loving wife Kyoko. Always a man of courage and determination, in 1981 Tiger made the decision to migrate to Canada in pursuit of a better life for himself and his growing family. His wife Kyoko and son Rainer joined him in Waterloo, Ontario in 1982, and his second son Leo was born soon after in 1984.

Tiger built quite a life for himself in Waterloo, starting a small Japanese book importing business called Nihongo Circle, and acting as teacher and principal at the KW Heritage School, encouraging a love for the Japanese language in young students. He also worked for most of his career as a quality assurance engineer for NCR.

Tiger had a great sense of humour, a passion for Japanese calligraphy and a love for The Beatles. When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 12 years ago, he faced it with the same humour and determination which helped him excel earlier on in life. Tiger always looked for ways to improve his health, and firmly believed in the importance of being kind and giving back to others. He became a part of a research study at Wilfred Laurier University in the hopes that the information obtained could help better the lives of other people living with Parkinson’s.

Tiger’s family would like to thank friends, neighbours and the Japanese-Canadian community, Sunnyside Day Program for keeping him engaged in many fun activities over the years, as well as the Derbecker’s Heritage Home in St Jacobs, which cared for him in the last months of his life.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Tiger on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo. 

Condolences for the family and donations to Parkinson’s Society of Canada may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.