Joseph I Muratsuchi's Obituary
Joseph Ichiro Muratsuchi, 96, of Kailua, Hawaii, passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2018. He was born on May 17, 1921 on a farm in Kimberly, Idaho. Joe graduated from Twin Falls High School in Idaho with the Class of 1938. He then moved with his family to his parents’ home town in Gifu, Japan. Joe experienced World War II for the “wrong” side, but after the war, he served proudly as an American civilian working for the United States Army and Air Force. First as an interpreter, then as a military historian. After retirement at the age of 67, Joe volunteered with the Japanese Cultural Center, researched rescued Japanese Fishermen such as Manjiro and Joseph Heco, served as a president of the Gifu Kenjin Kai and Aichi Kenjin Kai, learned to play taisho koto and helped with the group’s sound system, made frames for his wife’s paintings, etc. He also enjoyed traveling to many paces around the world with his wife.
Joe is survived by his wife of 71 years, Machiko; daughter, Irene Sadayama (Wayne); brother, Jiro (Nobuko); son, James (Peggy Jo); and his sister, Fumiko Upshaw who preceded him in death. Joe loved his 5 grandchildren, Jared and Jordan Muratsuchi and Micah, Jonathan, and Misa Sadoyama; along with his 6 great grandchildren.
Services for Joe will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary starting at 5:00 pm.
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