SHIRO, S. JOSEPH “JOE,” beloved father, grandfather and World War II veteran, passed away at age 88 in Alameda, Calif., on Feb. 20.
Born in Sacramento on June 30, 1923 to Yoshimatsu Shiro and Hatsuko Ebisawa, he was the second of 6 boys, including Kazuo, Yoshio (Bob), Hideo (Whitey), Gunji (George) and Harumi (Jim). Raised in Grimes, Calif., he attended Grand Island Union Grammar School and Pierce High School in Arbuckle.
In 1942, his family was interned at Camp Amache, Colo. In 1944, Joe joined the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe, achieving the rank of T-4, the equivalent of Sergeant. On Nov. 2, 2011, the members of the 442nd were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service to the nation.
In 1951, Joe married Fumiko Saiki in San Francisco and received his degree in industrial engineering at UC Berkeley, eventually moving to Mill Valley to raise 3 daughters. After a long career with Glidden Paint Co., he became proprietor of the Jim Mate Pipe and Tobacco Shop in San Francisco in 1969.
Following his retirement, Joe remained a joyful patriarch renowned for his goodwill, good humor and good golf. He is survived by his brothers, Whitey and Jim Shiro; his daughters, Evelyn Shiro, Carolyn Shiro-McLoughlin and Jocelyn Shiro-Westphal; sons-in-law, Robert Kelley, David McLoughlin and Douglas Westphal; and his grandchildren, Jordan and Taylor McLoughlin and Lily and Ben Westphal. He was predeceased by his wife, Fumiko and his brothers, Kazuo, Bob and George.
Joe was a man of honor, beloved by all.
Memorial donations may be sent to Buddhist Churches of America Debt Relief Fund, 1710 Octavia St., SF 94109 or Extending Connections, c/o BVUMC, 3211 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda, CA 94501.
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