|
Chunko (Masayasu) Hashimoto Velotta
Nov 12, 1951 - Jun 14, 2019
Fairfield High School Class of 1970
Chunko grew up in Japan. He immigrated to the USA to receive life-saving open-heart surgery by the world’s foremost heart transplant surgeon at that time, Dr. Norman Shumway of Stanford University. While attending Fairfield high school, he lived with his aunt Kay and uncle George on E. Atlantic Ave in Fairfield.
Chunko, Roger Bradley, Frank Inn, and others of us played Falcon tennis, coached by Mr. Valenzuela and Mr. Folz. Frank’s luck held as he missed the team photo session. Our most awkward moves are immortalized in the 1970 Talon yearbook, p. 115. We didn’t realize how uncoordinated we were until the Talon was published to thousands of people ready and willing to let us have it, you know – high school classmates. In those few pictures we were missing the ball, looking anywhere but at the ball, tippy-toeing, grandstanding, reaching, stooping, grimacing, frowning, flapping our tongues; all great examples of how NOT to play tennis. How embarrassing! I wish the camera HAD lied, or at least could be credibly accused of that. It’s too late for a retake. Now we would look worse, much worse. Still, we won more competitions than we lost, received great instruction, got into shape, had fun, and collected great stories.
In 1974 Chunko received his pre-med bachelor’s degree from UC Davis, and in 1976 his law degree from the UC San Diego School of Law, where he earned pizza money by driving the UCSD tourist tram around campus while telling jokes. He worked most of his career as a corporate lawyer for Sumitomo Bank of San Francisco, where his Japanese fluency, cultural knowledge, and integrity served his employer well.
Chunko married his college sweetheart Karen Okikawa of Colusa, CA. They lived in Walnut Creek, CA. Their two sons are Kevin of Walnut Creek and Jeffrey of Alamo.
Chunko and I lost touch after college, and I was saddened to see his online obituary. I still miss his good spirit and sense of humor. He laughed about everything, including himself. He called himself, ”a rough, tough creampuff!”
- Bill Fish
|
Linda Hughes (1969)
My thoughts and prayers to the family for your lose. Linda and James Hughes class of 69 & 70
Kiyoshi Williamson (1970)
Bill Fish, I remember you ! Regretfully recall is under umbrella of sad events.
Chunko and I never bonded as close friends. I was too busy still acclimating to California pop culture after moving to Fairfield from New Jersey in 1965.
I' m happy to know Chunko did find his niche and role here; I hope he achieved his dreams and left peacefully.
I used to spend a lot of leisure time in Walnut Creek, would have been pleasant surprise to have run into him there.
Never attended class re-unions and not knowing you well at Fairfield High, hope your life was meaningful, happy and successful too. If your composition level is indication I am confident that it was & is.
Stay safe in this crazy climate that we produced and if in California stay dry!
Kiyoshi Williamson
Karl Hess (1970)
I was so sad to hear of Chunko's passing. My first year at Fairfield High was as a sophomore, and Chunko was one of the first people who befriended me. I remember when we both tried out for the JV basketball team. Chunko worked so hard to make the team. I couldn't help but admire his effort and his desire to do his best. Chunko didn't make the team, but that didn't dampen his spirit. He just moved on to the next challenge with his smile, his humor, his wit, and his optimism.
When we were seniors, I had mentioned to Chunko that I really liked Jan Darville. Chunko suggested I take Jan to the Demolay Sweetheart Ball for our first date. Well, thank you Chunko. Jan and I just celebrated 50 years of marriage.
As with a lot of us after high school, we went our separate ways. I did run into Chunko in San Francisco when he was working at Tokai Bank, and I was with a small company looking for a bank to help us with transactions in Japan. He excused me for calling him "Chunko", but he asked that I call him Mas, now that he was an executive at a pretigious bank. Life had not changed him though. He was just as friendly, outgoing, and smart as I remembered him.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Karl Hess (1970)