A LA DOUCE MÉMOIRE DE Shigeru Uyeyama

My condolences to the family and friends of Shig, such a loss. I remember him especially from our junior high days at Woodlands. He was one of those guys who got along with everyone. During social studies he would have his hand up all the time, being so knowledgeable in history and current events. If it hadn’t been for Shig, I’m sure Mister Whisker would have gone stark raving mad! But I also remember friendly chats in class, and him teaching me to swear in Japanese, which my teenage self thought was very cool! I bet he was a wonderful father and grandpa! RIP Shig!!

Henry and I really enjoyed our dinner with Shig and Eric on their road trip to to BC. That day was the best day I had with my cousin and his friend Eric. My heartfelt condolences to Danielle and their family. He will always shine in my heart. Love you cousin Shig..

C’est avec surprise et beaucoup de peine que j’ai lu cette information aujourd’hui. My sincerest and deepest condolences to the entire family for this great loss. Shig and I worked together at Global Affairs and while it wasn’t long before he retired he has always remained a good friend who shared interesting, funny and relatable things on Facebook. His joy and love for his family was equal to none, and he will be sorely missed. Repos en paix mon cher ami, et que tous ces beaux souvenirs accompagnent et soutiennent ta famille et tes amis. Tu nous manqueras beaucoup.

Shig was a regular with us in the post stroke program at Dovercourt for many years. He was always supportive of the others in the program. always taking the time to chat and make sure they were doing well. He was a welcome cheerful presence and always genuine in his relationships with staff. He will be greatly missed!

I first met Shig when we worked on the Taiwan file in the early years of Canada’s relationship with the island It was a fascinating time and Shig always had lots of creative suggestions on how to approach the delicate diplomatic situation. Despite being a political officer, he was open to the trade perspective and was supportive of combining these efforts to find the best answers. I told him on several occasions that I considered him an honorary trade officer.. He always responded that he viewed that as a compliment. We spent many, many hours discussing the options. I always enjoyed his company and his eclectic views on life. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to the family.

what a shock. I had exchanged posts with Shig hoping that we could get together when he got to Vancouver. So sad to lose such a good colleague and friend.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends

Le décès subit de Shig, alors qu’il était en route pour Nanaimo, m’a beaucoup choqué et peiné. Je suivais les étapes de son périple sur Facebook grâce aux photos et brèves descriptions qu’il mettait quotidiennement en ligne. Et puis, au sixième jour, plus rien. Sa route s’est terminée à Jasper. Mais je suis sûr que dans son cœur il était déjà rendu à Nanaimo. J’offre mes plus sincères condoléances à Danielle et à tous les membres de sa famille. Salut cher collègue! Sayonara mon ami!

Shig and I joined the (then) Department of External Affairs in the same year, and his smiling face and wonderful, kind personality helped to keep me around. He was the best of colleagues…a truly lovely man who will be much missed. To his family, please accept my deepest condolences on this far-too-early loss.

Our condolences to the family, may the wonderful memories bring you all some comfort…..Shig was on his way to Vancouver Island. He had invited my mom and me for a group dinner on November 1/21. It would have been wonderful to catch up as we have not seen Shig since he used to babysit me when we lived in Nanaimo in the early 60’s. We managed to reconnect and Shig had many questions for my mom about our family. Rest In Peace Shig.

I met Shig after he and his wonderful friend took a wine tour with me while they attended their 50th High School Reunion in Nanaimo. What a lovely and fun day! We stayed in touch over FB and had planned on saying hello when he was back on the Island. I’m genuinely sorry that that was not meant to be. My deepest condolences to his family and friends; he was clearly well loved and respected by many.

Danielle, thinking of you and your family at this sad time with the loss of your dear husband Shig.
My deepest condolences.
Margaret

Shig and I joined the then Department of External Affairs on the same day in 1974 and our paths crossed often thereafter. In retirement, Shig was a welcome participant in the monthly meetings of retired francophone foreign service officers, noteworthy for his acute contributions to the group’s discussions. Even in ill health, Shig remained his charming, cheerful self. My condolences to Danielle and the family on their loss.

Oh so many memories. Being in the after school drama club having staring contests, when we were thirteen. Being in the Broadcast Club in both Junior and Senior High always trying to crack each other up. Shig, Doug, Marilyn, Simone, Sarah and I were the group who hung together five days a week. We all had to be the best but he outshone everyone. He was so kind and humble and funny, that we were all just delighted at his brilliance. He was so proud of his family, may his sweet light surround Danielle and family now. My loving condolences.

Sincères condoléances Louis-Marc, Michelle ainsi qu’à toute la famille. Nos pensées sont avec vous dans ces temps dificile. xo Joanne St-Georges et famille

I met Shig when my family first moved to Nanaimo. His social instinct to help out the “new kid in junior high school” was already strong. In spite of what must have been a difficult time for him, having lost his father to a heart attack that year, it was Shig who reached out to me to ease my transition to a new school. He, seeing the route I took home, suggested I stop by his house in the morning so we could walk together. He helped me to meet the other kids — something I didn’t have the personality to do easily. For this I will be forever grateful. Shig tried to make friends with everyone and, beyond that, he helped everyone to make friends with each other.
From there our friendship continued with many happy hours spent talking and playing cards. Shig made many visits home to Nanaimo to see his mother over the years and we were able to continue the friendship and card games with my wife, Linda, striking up a friendly rivalry with Shig over “serious Hearts”. Many years after Shig had moved away he would still run into more people on the street that he knew than I, who had never moved away, would. That is a testament to his wonderful personality. He will be dearly missed by many.
—Bill Macey

I wish to express my very sincere and deepest condolences for the passing of Shig Uyeyama to his wife Danielle and to his children. I met Shig for the first time in Washington D.C., I was the DFAIT Trade Officer who replaced Shig Uyeyama at the EMBASSY of CANADA in Washington D. C. in the eighties, Years passed…and I was so delighted to meet Shig again…on or before 2018…at DOVERCOURT’S RECREATION CENTRE, and I was so looking forward to the days he was going to DOVERCOURT for his exercises. I attended weekdays aerobics classes, hence, I had the opportunity of sitting with Shig every time he came to the Centre and to have a chit-chat at DOVERCOURT’S cafeteria until COVID-19 disrupted everyone’s lives. Shig, was always smiling despite his health woes, he was always so positive, so very pleasant, so very kind and so very intelligent. A very unique gentleman.

Nos sincères condoléances à Danielle ainsi qu’à toute la famille. Shig fut un sincère ami et il nous manquera beaucoup.

Nos sincères condoléances à toi Danielle et ta famille.

I knew Shig from Abidjan(Canadian Embassy).He was a friend and brother to me since Abidjan and Canada. My best time with Shig was the day I became Canadian.My condolence to Danielle and the children. May the soul of Shigeru Uyayama rest in perfect peace. Amen

So sorry to hear about Shig’s passing. We worked together at Foreign Affairs where he was our ATIP guru. I’ll always remember his stories and how wonderfully kind he was. My deepest condolences to his family.

I am very sorry to hear of Shig’s passing. He remember him from his time in Washington DC here at the Embassy. He was a very nice man. Condolences to his family and friends.

Je tiens à exprimer mes plus sincères condoléances à Danielle et à la famille tout entière. Je suis aussi navré d’avoir perdu Shig de vu ces dernières années, surtout depuis qu’il a quitté le Ministère. Toujours d’un esprit vif et d’un commerce agréable, je me souviens encore des déjeuneurs qu’on prenait ensemble à la cafeteria. Mon plus beau souvenir était sans contredit le soir où nous avons rencontré Yvan Cournoyer au match des 67’s. Je me souviens encore de le voir entrer à la maison, heureux comme un enfant d’école, avec son poster autographié de ce hockeyeur qu’il admirait tant. Bon courage à la famille, repose en paix mon ami.

My sincere condolences to Danielle and family on Shig’s passing. It was a surprise to lose such a warm and thoughtful colleague and friend who was a constant. I was posted with Shig and Danielle to the Embassy in Abidjan and we had many memorable adventures together and have connected from time to time ever since. His networking skills were legend and I will miss connecting with him. Rest In Peace Shig.

Bonjour Eric,

J’aimerais offrir mes plus sincères condoléances à toi et à ta famille. J’ai souvent vu ton père au Shenkman et à d’autres événements, soit avec ta mère et parfois avec toi. Bien que je ne l’ai pas connu personellement, je suis certain qu’il était une personne agréable et sympathique.

Claude et Lucie