Joseph Masanori Sugimoto

With great sadness the family of Joseph Masanori Sugimoto “Joe” announce his passing on Saturday, January 20, 2018, in Torrance, California. Joseph will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends.

Joseph Masanori Sugimoto was born January 10, 1935 in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. He came to the United States at age 19 where he attended the University of Illinois to study electrical engineering. His careers spanned electrical engineering, import-export, air freight sales and restaurateur. He and his first wife, Susan, had a Japanese restaurant in Yakima, Washington, called Ichiban. Joe was an excellent chef and enjoyed many hobbies, including cooking, carpentry, fishing, and acting. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Carol Sugimoto; three daughters from a previous marriage to Susan Sugimoto (Makita); Kathryn Mayumi Vallerga (David), Dawn Akemi Sugimoto and Constance Emi Sugimoto. Devoted grandfather to Darion Vallerga and two granddaughters, Sarah Schneeberger and Kylee Schneeberger. He has a sister, Toshiko Sugimoto and one brother, Dr. Yoshihiro Sugimoto, both in Japan; a sister, Masako Nojima (Jim); nieces, Junko Nojima-Wu (Albert) and Keiko Nomiyama (Seiji). He is predeceased by his parents Yasuma and Miyoko Sugimoto (Takeiri) and sister, Akiko Sugimoto of Kure, Japan. Special recognition and thanks to the staff at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Funeral services were provided by Neptune Society of San Pedro, CA.