Edward Shigemi Tanaka
August 9, 1947 ~ March 13, 2013
Resided in:
Fremont, CA
Edward Tanaka, 65, of Fremont, CA, passed away on March 13, 2013. Ed died shortly after he collapsed during a cycling trip with friends. A celebration of Ed's life will be held at 1:00pm on March 23rd at Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd. in Fremont.
Ed was born in Lodi, California on August 9, 1947. He was married to Joyce Syatauw on March 23rd, 1974 and was happily married for nearly 39 years.
Ed worked as a Park Ranger for Santa Clara County Parks for 30 years. He enjoyed bicycling, fishing and photography, and loved sending time with his grandchildren. He was also actively involved in the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Society, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, and the Fremont Freewheeler Bicycle Club. He leaves many friends in the Fremont Freewheelers.
Ed is survived by his wife Joyce, his son Case and his wife Meredith, daughter Carly and her husband Josh, his sisters Sharon and Karlene, his grandchildren Ava, Eli and Elise, and many other family members and friends.
A celebration of Ed's life will be held on March 23rd at 1 pm at Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, Ca.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Ed's name to the American Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Society, or the East Bay Bicycle Coalition (www.ebbc.org).
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My Dear Brother Ed.
It saddens me to see you go so soon. At least we had time together
before you went away and enjoyed a meal and laughed about things in general. If
we could have known your departure would be so soon afterwards. Our heart would
have been better prepared to see you off. How could we have known that when you
left our house you were leaving us for good Tuesday and now its Wednesday and
your gone. I know you will be watching us from the other side. Until we meet again
there with Mom, Dad and Randy. With love and sadness I bid you gentle winds and
followings seas until we meet again.
Semper Fidelis
Jerry
Ed was a dear friend of mine. We shared many experiences. We worked together as rangers. We were able to take hikes in Marin, and San Francisco. We had hours of pleasant conversation. I miss him.
Dabney
So passes an exceptionally good man, doing something he enjoyed, active to the end. Ed will live on in the memories of all who knew him.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joyce and the rest of the family, and everyone else who knew and loved Ed.
Ed Tanaka was a very fine person and gentle-man. He had a warm smile and a spirit that matched. I admired how active he was: bicycling, fishing, yoga-ing but also how he enjoyed his family so much!
He brought so much cheer to us at the gym. I enjoyed our banter prior to yoga. We are going to miss Ed so much. Such a kind soul. Our love and prayers to Joyce and family and friends.
We met Ed around 1985 through the Fremont Freewheelers. He was such a nice person always waiting for slower riders, working hard at the Primavera, and organizing overnight rides up to Grant Ranch. When we moved away we didn’t get to see him and Joyce very often but when we did we always picked up the conversation right where we left off. Ed was such a friendly person. He will be missed. Our deepest sympathy to Joyce and the family.
Joyce and Ed were two of the first people I met when I joined the club and attended my first meeting in 1985 and I have been a recipient of their warm and friendly companionship ever since. They have both been there for me when things turned a little ugly and shared with me my joys and accomplishments the rest of the time. I watched as they shared the task of raising two wonderful children and now several grandchildren. From where I was standing, Ed filled the role of loving father and husband with relish and pride and will be truly missed.
Ed was one of my best friends. We met many years ago while working for Santa Clara County Parks. Our friendship continued through those years and into retirement. We spent many happy hours together hiking in Marin and exploring different neighborhoods in San Francisco and Oakland. I met Ed’s lovely family and was able to spend time with them too. Ed was a joy to be with. He was a calm and gentle man. We spent hours in pleasant conversation. I miss him.
We met Ed just over 20 years ago and for the past couple of decades have watched the transition from hard working ranger to retired gentleman of leisure, leisure being a relative term for a man who was either hiking, cycling or fishing. Most importantly we were blessed to watch his children grow up, marry and have families of their own. To say we’re going to miss Ed is a huge understatement.
As a little girl, i went to the Tanaka’s for dinner with my parents and I used to go to your house and I remember being so excited to serenade the dinner table with piano playing. Ed’s positive energy was remarkable and will live on forever. He will be missed.
Dear Eddie… I am very sorry to see you go…You were one of the few people that I met and worked with, who I will always remember and honor… After leaving the Grant Ranch we went our separate ways, but over the years I wanted to renew our friendship…. I am so sorry that we weren’t able to do that…. You will always be my friend….
Dear Ed and family,
I knew you just a short time at County Parks and I always appreciated your smile, laugh and patient listening. Thank you for your time and presence. May you find as much joy in this next adventure.
Ed’s gentle, generous, and peaceful spirit will remain in our hearts always, His physical presence is deeply missed. Wishing Joyce and all his family and friends comfort and love.
A beautiful service for a gracious man.
Years ago we rode to the highest point at Grant Ranch. From there you could see the entire South Bay out to the Bay Bridge. It was my first time to this point. Ed looked at me and smiled that smile. It was that smile that graced his face whenever he looked at beauty or talked of Joyce and Case and Carly. It was that smile the young smile, when they know the secret to everything, and although we weren’t young, we were younger but had learned to be thankful for every moment and for friendship.