Goodbye, Tats

We are saddened to learn that Tats Moritani passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2006.

Although the specifics are not available to us, we can quote from an email from Clarence Moriwaki as follows:

I am heartbroken to report that after several weeks of recovering from a serious car accident, undergoing a painful surgery and fighting complications from pneumonia, Tats is now at peace.
 
One of the last of the original pioneering farming families, Tats Moritani, 91, served with distinction in World War II in the US Army Military Intelligence unit, for decades he was a hard working and well-respected employee of the Washington Ferry System (and worked until just last year!) and was our community’s keeper of the flame by building and tending to the traditional open fire at our annual Mochitsuki events.  
 

A memorial service was held for family and friends on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at 2:00 PM at Kass & Cook Family Funeral Home Chapel on Bainbridge Island. The quiet and beautiful service was conducted by Rev. Senji Kanaeda of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple on Bainbridge Island.

Thanks to John Buday for the photo of Tats and friends at the Memorial site. The other photo was taken at a Mochitsuki event at IslandWood.