Yoshio "Raymond" Saito, 100, peacefully passed away on June 24, 2020. He was born in Aiea, HI on May 19, 1920.Dad was predeceased by 5 brothers and 3 sisters and was the last surviving child born to Kichizo and Saku (Kiriu) Saito.
In his youth, Dad played football, baseball and basketball. He fondly remembered playing on the Aiea Rams football team that won the 1938 OahuCity Wide Championship.
Dad married Yoshiko "Helen" Ito in 1942. Together they built a beautiful life, worked hard, and sacrificed to raise 4 children. They were blessed and enjoyed 49 years of marriage, until Mom passed away in 1991.
Dad is survived by daughters: Blanche (Ernest, deceased) Uyehara, Virginia (Hector, deceased) Valdez; sons: Raymond and Clayton (Deidre). Dad is also survived by grandchildren: Calvin, Sharalyn, Julie, Jenna Leigh, Kylie Ann; great-grandchildren: Leo, Maverick, and Carter.
Dad worked for over 40 years as an ironworker at Hawaiian Reinforcing Steel Co., starting in the field, then becoming a foreman. Having a knack for numbers and attention to detail, Dad moved into the office to become a steel detailer/estimator. He was part of Hawaii's construction boom, during the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. He proudly recalled working on many of the high-rises, hotels, and bridges that still stand strong today.
Although he was a widower for many years after Mom passed away, Dad never stopped doing things that brought him and those around him much joy and happiness.
Dad had a green thumb and enjoyed growing a variety of orchids and other flowering plants. Dad also liked cooking in the kitchen, often making his delicious lomi salmon, pickled onions, namasu, takuan, and corned beef hash patties, just to name a few.
During the football season, Dad enjoyed his weekly dinners with Blanche and Ernest to watch Monday Night Football. Dad and Raymond had a love for korean food and shared many meals together.
Dad looked forward to his annual Las Vegas trips with Clayton, visiting Virginia and granddaughter Sharalyn in California, and of course, spoiling granddaughters, Jenna Leigh and Kylie Ann, rotten.
Dad was a loving and loyal husband, a hardworking and supportive father, and a caring and doting grandfather, who above all else, took care of and provided for his family. Dad, Grandpa, we will miss your quiet strength and dry sense of humor, but we are comforted in knowing that you will be reunited with Mom, Grandma. We love you.
Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
