Ichiro Sato was born on Feb. 10, 1925, in Terminal Island, Calif., where he excelled in judo and swimming, earning him the nickname “Shark.” During World War II, he and his family were interned in Manzanar, along with other Issei and Nisei. After WWII, he worked on a fishing boat, joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and eventually settled in Long Beach. He worked in the print shops of Los Angeles Library and Department of Water and Power, from where he retired in 1990.
Ichiro was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed spoiling his granddaughters and took pride in their accomplishments, never missing special moments. He was fiercely loyal to his Terminal Islander friends and always looked forward to the annual New Year party and the summer picnic. He always wore a smile, made friends wherever he went, and was everyone’s Jichan.
In his final years, Ichiro lived with his daughter and son-in-law, and was cared for by caregivers who also took care of his wife Michiyo, who predeceased him. He passed away of natural causes on June 29, 2020, and is survived by daughter Marci Masumi (Ray) Mamaradlo; granddaughters Sydney Mirai and Kelsey Mika Mamaradlo; sister Kayoko Nakagawa; nephews Ken and Raymond (Audrey) Nakagawa; and niece Joyce (Susumu) Ogushi.
A viewing will be held at Luyben Dilday Mortuary in Long Beach on Monday, July 13 from 5-8 p.m., with limited capacity. A private service will be held at Luyben Dilday on July 14, officiated by the Rev. Gyokei Yokoyama of Long Beach Buddhist Church, followed by a graveside service at Green Hills Memorial Park.