OBITUARY: George Goto

GOTO, GEORGE, 91, passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2017. Susan, his loving wife of 62 years, was by his side. He is survived by his sister Sumi Uesugl, daughter Lesli Pineschi and son-in-law Aldo Pineschi; his son Eric Goto and daughter-in-law Deborah Goto; grand-children Evangeline Pineschi, Anthony George Pineschi and George Allen Goto.

He was a loving influence in the life of his family and his name lives on with his grandsons.

George was born in Penryn, California, He was the youngest of four children whose entire family was interned at Tule Lake, California, during World War II. After the war, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as an interpreter in the Military Intelligence Service and was stationed in post-war Japan. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Placer Junior College (now known as Sierra College) and was named the MVP of the State Junior College Basketball championship team. He also attended Sacramento State University where he earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in education. During his years at Sacramento State, he played both basketball and baseball and was named the school’s most outstanding athlete of the year in 1953. He was one of the first Japanese-Americans from Sacramento State to earn a secondary teaching credential after World War II.

George taught and coached basketball at Roseville High School and then at Sierra College, He was a straight-forward, no nonsense, disciplined teacher, who also liked to have fun. He was known as a great friend and respected colleague who loved the athletic department so much that he established a scholarship fund for student athletes at Sierra College. George retired as the Dean/Director of Athletics at Sierra College in 1986. The basketball court at Sierra College bears his name in recognition of his dedication to students.

George was an avid fisherman and never stopped trying to improve his golf game. He served as the City of Roseville Parks and Recreation Commissioner for seven years and as the Placer County Fish & Game Commissioner for two terms. The George Goto Park was dedicated in 2009 in honor of his contributions to the community of Roseville.

A service followed by his Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on August 10, 2017, 1pm at the Placer Buddist Church, 3192 Boyington Rd Penryn, CA 95663. Donations can be made in George’s honor to the George Goto Athletic Scholarship via the Sierra College Foundation.