Masao Sugiyama Funeral Fund
Donation protected
On April 11th, my father Masao Sugiyama unexpectedly passed away, not only leaving behind broken hearts but also unfinished business that my Mom, sister and I are currently resolving.
This campaign is to help finance my Father's funeral expenses and to settle his estate and business.
Japan has one of the most expensive funerals in the world and we are currently in need of translators and additional support to help us maneuver estate and business dealings.
Where Your Donation Will Go:
- Funeral expenses
- Japanese funeral rites
- Fees for Legal and Accounting Professionals
- Translation service expenses
If you are not in a position to help monetarily, please do not worry. Your thoughts and prayers have brought me and my family great strength and comfort. Please share this link to help spread the word...
A Little About My Dad & His Journey . . .
My Dad was a strong, and at times, even a stubborn man. Seven years ago he was diagnosed with stage-4 colon cancer and was given a prognosis of two years to live. Against all odds, he successfully underwent chemotherapy, two major surgeries, and various other treatments.
Another thing to understand about my Dad was that the company he created was also his hobby. His drive to build his business and to spend time with his family became a beacon for him to bravely face his fears and to continue to fight his cancer. As a family, my Mom, sister and I relished every extra moment his fighting spirit allowed us to have with him.
Sadly, in 2019, his chemotherapy port became infected. After braving chemo, surgeries, and anemia, his body was not able to overcome the infection and his body increasingly became weak. In December, my sister and I flew to Japan to spend Christmas, his birthday and New Year as a family. Even during this time, he continued to build his business and actually planned a family vacation to Izu. I remember us going to a clinic, and, given his vitals, his doctors being shocked that my father was still able to walk. Two nights before we were to go on this trip, we agreed that it was for the best for us to stay at home together.
In early March, I received the dreaded call that my father's health was failing. Without hesitation, my sister and I bought the first available flight to Japan. With the COVID-19 outbreak beginning, this was not an easy task and a very expensive flight. When we saw our Father, we learned that his condition had grown worst and that he had become septic.
For the next month, with my Mom, sister and me by his side, he fought blood poisoning, fevers, and his cancer. The doctor let us know that we probably had another three months with him. Even during this time, whenever he would get enough energy, he would occasionally ask for his laptop and try to work on his business- even if it was for a few minutes. My father found strength in his family and in his hobby/business.
On the day that my father passed, his doctor was actually impressed with all but one of his cancer markers. Sadly that night, his breathing became distressed. My mom, sister and I gathered around him. We thanked him and let him know that he didn't need to fight any longer. Looking into our eyes, his breathing relaxed and within minutes he peacefully left. That night, my mom asked for a sign and within a second, the earth shook. I'd like to think that that earthquake was my father letting us know that he was okay.
In keeping with my Father's wishes and with Japanese customs, we had a traditional Buddhist funeral. We quickly learned that Japan has one of the most expensive funerals in the world. Additionally, due to the sudden turn of unfortunate events, my father was not able to completely prepare for his departure. This in itself would be a challenge in the US, but we are currently faced with the additional challenge of following Japanese customs and facing language barriers.
As the last surviving Sugiyamas (my father was an only child), and in honor of my father, my sister and I want to make sure that we don't miss the mark and that we acquiesce to Japanese traditions so that he can rest in eternal peace
This campaign is to help finance my Father's funeral expenses and to settle his estate and business.
Japan has one of the most expensive funerals in the world and we are currently in need of translators and additional support to help us maneuver estate and business dealings.
Where Your Donation Will Go:
- Funeral expenses
- Japanese funeral rites
- Fees for Legal and Accounting Professionals
- Translation service expenses
If you are not in a position to help monetarily, please do not worry. Your thoughts and prayers have brought me and my family great strength and comfort. Please share this link to help spread the word...
A Little About My Dad & His Journey . . .
My Dad was a strong, and at times, even a stubborn man. Seven years ago he was diagnosed with stage-4 colon cancer and was given a prognosis of two years to live. Against all odds, he successfully underwent chemotherapy, two major surgeries, and various other treatments.
Another thing to understand about my Dad was that the company he created was also his hobby. His drive to build his business and to spend time with his family became a beacon for him to bravely face his fears and to continue to fight his cancer. As a family, my Mom, sister and I relished every extra moment his fighting spirit allowed us to have with him.
Sadly, in 2019, his chemotherapy port became infected. After braving chemo, surgeries, and anemia, his body was not able to overcome the infection and his body increasingly became weak. In December, my sister and I flew to Japan to spend Christmas, his birthday and New Year as a family. Even during this time, he continued to build his business and actually planned a family vacation to Izu. I remember us going to a clinic, and, given his vitals, his doctors being shocked that my father was still able to walk. Two nights before we were to go on this trip, we agreed that it was for the best for us to stay at home together.
In early March, I received the dreaded call that my father's health was failing. Without hesitation, my sister and I bought the first available flight to Japan. With the COVID-19 outbreak beginning, this was not an easy task and a very expensive flight. When we saw our Father, we learned that his condition had grown worst and that he had become septic.
For the next month, with my Mom, sister and me by his side, he fought blood poisoning, fevers, and his cancer. The doctor let us know that we probably had another three months with him. Even during this time, whenever he would get enough energy, he would occasionally ask for his laptop and try to work on his business- even if it was for a few minutes. My father found strength in his family and in his hobby/business.
On the day that my father passed, his doctor was actually impressed with all but one of his cancer markers. Sadly that night, his breathing became distressed. My mom, sister and I gathered around him. We thanked him and let him know that he didn't need to fight any longer. Looking into our eyes, his breathing relaxed and within minutes he peacefully left. That night, my mom asked for a sign and within a second, the earth shook. I'd like to think that that earthquake was my father letting us know that he was okay.
In keeping with my Father's wishes and with Japanese customs, we had a traditional Buddhist funeral. We quickly learned that Japan has one of the most expensive funerals in the world. Additionally, due to the sudden turn of unfortunate events, my father was not able to completely prepare for his departure. This in itself would be a challenge in the US, but we are currently faced with the additional challenge of following Japanese customs and facing language barriers.
As the last surviving Sugiyamas (my father was an only child), and in honor of my father, my sister and I want to make sure that we don't miss the mark and that we acquiesce to Japanese traditions so that he can rest in eternal peace
Organizer
Kenn Sugiyama
Organizer
San Francisco, CA