Tashio Fujioka

a long time resident of Vashon Island, WA, passed away Feb 15 after a short illness. He was 97 and lived the majority of his life on the Island.Tashio was the eldest son of Sadaji who emigrated in 1900 and Tsune Fujioka who emigrated in 1910 from Kumamoto, Japan to the US and disembarked at Victoria, BC. They settled on Vashon Island and began berry farming.Tashio attended grade and high school and upon graduation, he assisted his parents on the farm. Much responsibility fell on his shoulders because of the language and cultural differences.When WWII broke out, the Japanese, whether citizens or not, were uprooted and sent to WRA camps. The farm was thriving and in the midst of berry harvest, the family was forced to leave everything in care of friends. The Fujioka family of eight was among the 120 Island Japanese who were sent to the Pinedale Assembly Center in Fresno, California; Tule Lake relocation center, Merced, California; and Heart Mt., Wyoming. When Tule Lake became the segregation center, the loyal evacuees were removed to another camp of their choice. Tashio and family picked Heart Mountain. All of the camps were secured by barbed wire and MPs.When the government announced the closure of camps, Tashio, along his parents and youngest sibling, Susie, left and went to Spokane. After a short stay there, they returned to Vashon and began rebuilding their lives after a 3-year absence. He and his parents began farming and after living in temporary places, he bought property and settled there with the family. It still remains in the family. Tashio won awards for harvesting 5 tons of strawberries from 1 acre of land.When farming became less profitable, he quit and went to work at the Vashon post office until his retirement. Though he lived a relatively quiet life, in 1972, he and friends made a world cruise which included stops in Africa to visit heavily guarded diamond mines and in Tokyo, Japan, where he was able to touch his roots.Tashio enjoyed marine life, the Coast Guard auxiliary, and taking short trips with friends to see the flotilla of boats at Tacoma. He also liked taking part in the Tacoma Daffodil Parade. He was active in senior affairs and attended the Methodist Church. He was an avid photographer, developing and enlarging his own photos, and also loved sailing, fishing, carpentry, and painting. He helped build the family house.Tashio moved to Bainbridge Island in 2006 living at an assisted living facility and later when he became ill, was transferred to a nursing home where he passed away a short time later. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Yukio, Chatteroy, WA and George, Walnut Creek, California. Surviving are his sisters, Martha Nakamoto, Ontario, Oregon, Mary and Susie Fujioka, Bainbridge Island, and many nieces and nephews.Please sign the online guest book for the family.