Toshiro “Tosh” Hiraide

Toshiro “Tosh” Hiraide passed away peacefully at the age of 87 at his
home in Rancho Palos Verdes on July 9, 2010.
Tosh was born on August 1, 1922 in Fullerton, CA. At the age of 9,
Tosh moved to Nagano, Japan with his family, attending grammar school
there for two years and thereafter returning to West Los Angeles.
After graduating from University High School, Tosh and his family
were interned at the Manzanar War Relocation Center after the attack
on Pearl Harbor. While his family remained at Manzanar, Tosh and his
brother were granted leave in January 1944 to serve in the U.S.
Army’s Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Tosh taught Japanese to
military officers at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and later served as an
interpreter for the War Crimes trial in Manila, Philippines.
After the war, Tosh graduated from USC in 1951 (Bachelor of Foreign
Service) followed by Southwestern Law School in 1956 (Juris Doctor).
During his distinguished 50-year career as a lawyer, Tosh served as
President of the Gardena Valley Japanese American Citizens League in
1960 and 1961, ran for the California State Assembly in 1965 and
later served as President of the South Bay Bar Association in 1975,
finally retiring from his law practice in 2004 at the age of 82.
Tosh was the proud father of Mark (Jill) and Lisa Hiraide, who both
followed in their father’s footsteps to become lawyers. Tosh is also
survived by his brother Shori of Tokyo, Japan, his wife of 14 years,
Carol, his former wife, Marsha, and his nieces and nephew. He was
predeceased by his parents Cho and Kiyoshi and his sisters Marie
Hiraide and Diane Yanohira. A celebration of his life will be held on
July 21, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Green Hills Memorial Chapel, located at
27501 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Please sign the
guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.