OBITUARY: Sachio Mae

Sachio Mae

July 10, 1931 – Aug. 14, 2020

MAE, SACHIO was born in 1931 in Nakazaki, Wakayama, Japan. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1956 with two of his childhood friends. Although they were all trained in Japanese carpentry, his first job in California was picking grapes and pruning vines in Delano, and pruning pear trees near Chico, for $1 an hour. After six months, he moved to San Francisco to work in construction. In 1961, he and his two friends formed the Sankyo Company. They worked primarily in the San Francisco bay area, constructing buildings and interiors, especially restaurants, using Japanese carpentry techniques.

When he was younger, Sachio enjoyed ocean activities such as deep-sea fishing and diving for abalone and sea urchin. He was a big fan of the Giants and 49ers and watched all their games. He also liked to watch Japanese Sumo and animal documentaries. He loved cats and baby goats.

Sachio will be remembered for his kindness and generosity toward his friends. He was always quick to help out when needed, especially with his pickup truck, visiting with snacks in hand, and sharing funny stories.

He is survived by his former wife, Yoko (nee Kusegawa), their daughters, Kiyomi (Ron Onizuka) and Eileen (Gary Fujii), their sons David and Jeffrey (Jennifer Kalena nee Mena), three granddaughters Alyssa, Andrea, and Kaylyn, and one great grandson, Kiyoshi.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenjiro and Koharu, and four of his five siblings, Hisaye, Hirotada, Tadashi, and Shizuo. Sachio passed away on August 14, 2020, at the age of 89. Family will be holding a private memorial. Condolences may be sent to Kiyomi Onizuka at 11 Ona Court, San Ramon, CA 94583.