We Remember
TAMAKI, Shigeo
March 10, 1925 — September 12, 2018
Shigeo (“Sid”) Tamaki, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on September 12, 2018 at Mission Creek Landing Rest Home (formerly Sutherland Hills Rest Home). The family would like to thank the staff at both Mission Creek Landing and Kelowna General Hospital for their compassion and kindness.
Sid was born in Nanaimo, B.C. on March 10, 1925 to Komakichi Tamaki and Komae Okamoto and spent his early years helping his dad on the family fishing boat in Deep Bay.
As a result of the war, Sid and his parents relocated to the interior of B.C. where they resided in various communities before settling in Kelowna in 1946. Sid did a variety of jobs which included apple picking and working in the logging industry before finding employment on Gifford Thomson’s celery farm. This was Sid’s introduction to the business world as he along with his partner would transport culled celery provided by Gifford Thomson to Vancouver where they would sell it to restaurants in China Town. On their return trip to Kelowna, Sid and his partner would then go to Steveston, B.C. where they would purchase salmon from his partner’s friend and transport it back to Kelowna, where they found a ready market.
Sid and his partner also sold groceries door to door in Kelowna. After a year, Sid went into business on his own and in 1950 “Sid’s Grocery” was born. It was a few years later when Sid and his future wife Tomi made a trip to the US and saw a store painted in a unique fashion that the decision to paint red polka dots on the outside of their store was made. At that point, “Sid’s Grocery” became known as the “polka dot store” and remained a familiar local landmark and popular business for the next 38 years.
Sid met Tomi, a native of Summerland, in 1954 as she came to work for him as a cashier. She and Sid enjoyed working with each other so much that four months later on February 23, 1955 they were married. Sid and Tomi have enjoyed 63 years of marriage and have raised a family of four sons and a daughter.
In 1988, Sid and Tomi retired and spent time travelling to Asia, Europe, across Canada and the US. Sid also enjoyed spending a night out at various venues throughout Kelowna with his many friends.
Predeceased by his infant son Robert, his parents his sister Susan and his brother George, Sid is survived by his loving wife Tomi, his children Donald (Linda), George (Wendy), Lynn (Cameron), Gordon (Vicky) and Bruce (Mandy), his grandchildren Sean, Tracy, Noah, Claire, and nieces and nephews.
A gathering to celebrate Sid’s life will be held
Saturday, October 6th, 2018
Kelowna Golf & Country Club
1297 Glenmore Road
OAKMONT ROOM
TIME: 1 – 4 PM
Due to the regular hours of the golf course, parking will be limited.
Please RSVP your attendance by emailing yancha.lt@gmail.com on or before Monday, October 1, 2018.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Saturday, October 6th, 2018, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
Kelowna Golf & Country Club - OAKMONT ROOM
Don – our condolences to you and your family
Karen & Len Bidwell
Our condolences to Tomi & the family of Sid…from Bob Tucker & family… fond memories…
So sorry to hear of “Sid’s” passing, Our condolences to all the family, always fun and always a gentleman.
Dear Bruce,
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I’ve got lots of fond memories of your Dad from our school years together and even before that when we frequented his store. Thinking of you and your family and sending warm thoughts and hugs.
We are sorry to hear of Sid’s passing! We are thinking of you all at this sad time! He was a wonderful man!
Hi, My name is Geri and I have never met Sid nor heard of Sid’s Grocery until Friday. I am a taxi driver and picked a gentleman up at the airport and took him to his temporary quarters. He told me he had lived in Kelowna for 26 years and then left and was back for a visit. He mentioned when he moved here, that, “that was when Sid’s Grocery was still here” He said the side of the store was uniquely painted and described the red polka dots and the small heart at the center. He mentioned that the store was previously located on the spot of the new Holiday Inn.and that it had been here a long time. I kind of of thought it would have been nice to be in Kelowna when there were a lot of community landmarks and it was a lot smaller. On Sunday I was at the coffee shop in Rutland and read the Capital News and saw Sid’s obituary. I was surprised as I had just heard about his grocery store the day before. I wanted you to know that even though I am fairly new (only 5 years) that there are people who still remember Sid and the grocery store and tell others about them. May this bring you comfort at your time of bereavement.
I would just like to say I am so sorry to hear of Sids passing…I will be thinking of Tomi and Lynn and her extended family at this time..He was such a nice man always smiling. I will miss our conversations.Thinking of you fondly.
I had the good fortune to do business with Sid. He was always friendly and sincere. Such a wonderful soul. Canada has lost a great citizen.
I’m sorry to hear of Sid’s passing. My condolences to Sid’s family. Margie Henri
Sincere condolences to all the Tamaki family . So glad grandson Noah got to know papa Sid. A very sweet man
Dear Bruce and Family: So sorry for the loss of your dad! I have many memories of him when we were growing up. Take care Mate!
I remember Sid as a man who was kind and generous to my mother and father in the earlier years when our family was struggling. My deepest condolences to Tomi and family. Jean Neher Port Coquitlam
Tomi and family – It was our pleasure to work with your family over the years. We always enjoyed Sid’s cheerful smile! Our thots are with you at this time.