OBITUARY: George Gengo Miyahara

George Gengo Miyahara

Miyahara, Gengo George, 88, passed away Jan. 13, 2012. He was born in San Francisco Mar. 1, 1924, loving husband of the late Hannah Miyahara, preceded in death by sisters Uriko Hirokawa and Sachiko Takahashi. He is survived by many nieces and nephews as well as lifelong friends Tsutomu Tut Sumimoto and Charles Wacky Sumimoto.

Gengo attended Lowell High School and graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1949, earning a BA in Art. During WWII, he and his family were evacuated to internment camps first at Tanforan Race Track in San Bruno, Calif., then Rohwer, Ark. and finally in Tule Lake, Calif. After returning to Oakland, Calif., he married Hannah, the love of his life, and began working as an offset printer in San Francisco. They were married for 60 years. In 1991, Gengo and Hannah lost their beautiful home and all their possessions in the Oakland fire. Together they meticulously rebuilt their home with Gengo diligently overseeing the project from start to finish.

Gengo will be long remembered for his talented eye for photography; capturing many special moments in the lives of his family and friends. He was an enthusiastic and supportive fan of his friends’ children, nieces and nephews, spending many weekends rooting for or coaching their basketball and softball games. He was an avid bowler and extremely lucky gambler making frequent trips to Reno, Nev., and Lake Tahoe. Throughout their lives he and Hannah shared a deep love for animals, spoiling Lucy, Buffy and Kitty Cat. We will truly miss this kind and gentle man.

Memorial service will be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 at Sunset View Mortuary (Colusa and Fairmount Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530) at 4p.m. A reception will follow.