JAMES TAKAO NISHIKAWA

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JAMES TAKAO NISHIKAWA

James Takao Nishikawa, beloved father and grandfather, passed peacefully at home on July 1st, 2023 at the age of 83.

He was predeceased by his father Fred, his mother Kimiye and his brother-in-law Kaoru. He will be lovingly remembered by his sister Dorothy, his brothers Bob (Caring) and George (Sally), his sister Louise (Jim), his children David, Jon (Melanie), Jennifer, Paul (Stacey), his grandchildren Ivy, Gabriel Roisin, Rayden, Logan, Nicholas, and by his nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.

Dad was born on March 2nd, 1940, in Vancouver, B.C. During the Second World War Dad’s family was separated and Dad was interned at Lemon Creek with his mom, grandparents and siblings. After the war the family was reunited and settled in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In 1958 Dad matriculated from Fort William Collegiate and was accepted into the Architecture program at the University of Manitoba. He moved to Winnipeg where he lived with his sister Dorothy and her husband Kaoru, graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1963.

Over the next 50 years Dad designed and directed projects in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario. Dad was a very humble man but he took great pride in his work. He was deeply proud of his 20 year association with Etienne Gaboury, of his association with Number 10 Architects and his long association with Ininew Project Management. Dad worked on various types of projects, and whether it was a home or office renovation for friend or family or a multimillion dollar medical, educational, engineering or civic project, he always strove for excellence and loved a new challenge. Some of his most notable projects include the Law Courts Building, the Health Sciences MS Building, the Drake Centre at the University of Winnipeg and the Churchill Townsite Redevelopment Plan. In association with Reid Crowther, Dad worked on the design for the Water Pollution Control Centre and the Hazardous Waste Management Facility.

Dad was philosophical. He always said giving is better than receiving. As an architect, his life’s work enriched our communities but in everything he did there was an element of sharing and giving. Dad had diverse and copious interests and loves. He was an amateur folk music recording artist. He learned how to fly gliders. He was an accomplished photographer, an expert chicken chef and cookie baker. He joined a chess club. He joined a sketch club and his work was shown in amateur art shows. He loved to visit museums, art galleries, the theatre, symphony, ballet and the parks. He loved good food, good wine and good music and hosted many a gathering of family and friends. He loved books and movies and always had a new one to lend. Dad loved to travel and shared precious trips with Paul’s family.

Art was Dad’s lifelong passion and he was a brilliant artist. After the dinner dishes were cleared, Gramps, Ivy and Gabriel Roisin would sit at the dinner table, drawing, painting and doing origami. He looked forward to his retirement years planning to devote his time to artwork. When he finally retired at the age of 80 he completed a new picture every day. He painted family, birds, animals, the prairies. He drew favourite movie and TV characters to delight his grandchildren. His love for all was most graciously articulated. Dad’s greatest enjoyment came from sharing his work with others. He always had a homemade card to send and gifted everyone in the family beautiful pieces which will forever be treasured.

Dad had two other great passions. Hockey and golf. He played old timer hockey for 30 years making lifelong friendships. He watched every Jets game. He took us to our hockey, ringette, baseball and soccer games, and he was there cheering on his grandkids at every game. He volunteered for many years at Sir John Franklin Community Centre as a coach, teacher, mentor and convenor. Every week he golfed with family and friends at Bel Acres, and the annual family golf trips with George, Sally, Louise, Jim and Kaoru were the highlight of his year. Dad has deeply inspired us with his love of art and music and sport.

Dad was gentle, patient, loving, he had a great sense of humour and a ready smile. Without question his greatest pride and joy were his grandchildren. They made him so happy. We are all grateful for the joy you shared with us and we will sorely miss you. You will be a constant presence of love and inspiration, forever our heart, forever our home.

Dad was cremated at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and rests near his beloved mother and father.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year.

For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 22, 2023