Henry Phillip Tatsuo Ichikawa Obituary

Henry Phillip Tatsuo Ichikawa, 84 of Scarborough, Ontario, passed away comfortably and peacefully on May 23, 2024 after a brief battle with kidney failure. Henry is leaving behind a legacy of resilience and strength. Henry will be reunited with his beloved wife of 55 years of marriage Mary Noriko Ichikawa (nee Yokota) who preceded him in November 2019.

Born on January 9, 1940 in Call Creek, B.C. on the north end of Vancouver Island on a houseboat. Henry was the youngest of the six siblings, with a 21-year age gap. Predeceased by his father Ishinosuki and mother Yone, brothers Kazuo, Dominic, Eugene, Anthony and beloved sister Angie Iwasa along with husband Casey Iwasa. The Ichikawa family immigrated to Canada from Okayama, Japan. They landed in Prince Rupert, B.C. and worked in the logging industry. The Ichikawa family was interned during WWII in Greenwood, B.C. and after their release, the family followed the two oldest brothers who found work in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

As the pillar of the family, Henry instilled values of hard work and perseverance in his loved ones. His approach to life was straightforward and no-nonsense, yet he always had the best interests of his family at heart. He was helpful in the construction and building of the Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto as he had many contacts in the construction industry. Henry enjoyed bowling, golf and dining out with his loved ones. Henry spent the last few years living at Chartwell Guildwood, where he made many new friends and enjoyed his regular routines.

Henry will be deeply missed, not only for his unwavering presence but also for the lessons of integrity and determination he imparted. His legacy of generosity will live on for his steadfast insistence on treating everyone to lunch, dinner or any meal out.

Henry is survived by his son - Phillip (Heather), daughter Donna (Tim) and dearest grandson Quinn. Sisters-in-laws: Mich Kayama, Joan Beaver, Thanh Yokota and brothers-in-laws: Stan Yokota and David Yokota. Predeceased by brothers-in-laws: Nobby Kayama, Moe Beaver and sister-in-law Aileen Yokota. Cherished by many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 11am at the Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto located at 301 Silver Star Blvd, Scarborough.

The family requests that in honour of Henry's belief in self-reliance, contributions can be made to the Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto or to the research for Diabetes Canada.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his legacy of generosity will live on in our hearts forever.

Funeral DetailsCelebration of LifeJapanese Gospel Church of Toronto.