In Memory of Shigeru Uyeyama
C’est avec une très grande tristesse que la famille vous annonce le décès de Shigeru Uyeyama survenu à Jasper, Alberta, le 24 octobre 2021 à l’âge de 69 ans. Il était en route vers Vancouver et Nanaimo avec son grand ami Éric.
Il laisse dans le deuil son épouse, Danielle; ses enfants Émilie, Éric (Tanya) et Louis-Marc (Michelle) ainsi que sa sœur Midori (Colin) et ses trois petits-enfants Damien, Tristan et Théo. Il laisse également de très nombreux amis et anciens collègues qui se souviendront de lui.
Shig a travaillé plus de 35 ans en tant qu’agent politique au ministère des Affaires étrangères (maintenant Affaires mondiales). Il a complété des affectations à Lagos, Dakar, Washington et Abidjan. Il adorait son travail.
La famille recevra parents et amis au Complexe funéraire Héritage, 1250, ch. Trim, le samedi 11 décembre 2021 de 12h30 à 14h. Une cérémonie commémorative suivra en la chapelle Héritage à 14h.
En l’honneur de Shig, des dons peuvent être remis à la Fondation des maladies du cœur et de l’AVC du Canada ou aux Guid’amies franco-canadiennes, District d’Ottawa.
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It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Shigeru Uyeyama, in Jasper, Alberta, on October 24th, 2021 at the age of 69. He was on his way toward Vancouver and Nanaimo with his good friend Éric.
He is survived by his wife Danielle ; children Émilie, Éric (Tanya) and Louis-Marc (Michelle), as well as his sister Midori (Colin) and his three grandchildren Damien, Tristan and Théo. He is also survived by many friends and former colleagues who will fondly remember him.
Shig worked over 35 years as a Political Officer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (now Global Affairs). He completed assignments in Lagos, Dakar, Washington and Abidjan. He loved his work.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Heritage Funeral Complex, 1250 Trim Rd., on Saturday, December 11th, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. A Memorial Service will follow in the Heritage Chapel at 2 p.m.
In honour of Shig, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or to the Guid’amies franco-canadiennes, Ottawa District would be greatly appreciated.
I went to school with Shig from grade 7 on. It was always a joy to see him at all the reunions and our 50th will be a wonderful memory that I will cherish. I also enjoyed his humour on Facebook and messenger and will miss the chuckles that I got from them. My condolences to all his family. He will be missed. Lynn Peters
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!!
I am mourning the loss of my good friend, mentor, and life coach or dear Shig. He is the nicest, most generous, and most peaceful person I have ever know if my life. For me, he is not just a friend but also like a father figure to me. If everyone in this world is like him, we would not have any wars and conflicts. RIP my friend. I will deeply miss all the moments I have with you.
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..
Bonjour, nos condoléances pour le départ de notre grand ami Shig..
Connu cher Shigeru en Côte d’Ivoire, début des années 1990, avec son épouse Danielle
Et Émilie, Éric et Louis-Marc. Tous amis depuis ce temps, pour la vie.
Nos pensées et prières sont avec vous toutes er tous. Que Dieu accueille
Dans son Éternelle Bonté cet homme de foi, d’amour et de charité
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.
So sorry to hear of Shig’s passing. We first met in Lagos on my first posting. Shig was a great guy and we keep in touch ever since.
He was a good guy and left us too soon. So sorry for your loss Danielle.
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 am so sorry to hear this. Shig and I connected often when we both worked at Global Affairs Canada. I will miss his sensitivity, insight and humour on Facebook. My sincere condolences to his family.
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.
I met Shig in the Dominican Republic at a wedding that he attended with his son. Shig was a hoot and so lovely that we kept in touch since. Seeing the announcement broke my heart. My sincerest condolences to Shig’s love one. To know Shig is to love Shig. The pain we feel the true cost of loving.
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
So sorry I will miss Shig’s memorial as finally flying overseas to see my kids after almost 2 years. Shig and I worked together in the 90s at CFSI at Foreign Affairs and shared many laughs both before and after his stroke. Shig taught us a lot about dealing with adversity and getting on with life. He has left us far too soon and I send my condolences to Danielle and his family.
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!
Ma conjointe, Marie, se joint à moi pour souhaiter nos plus sincères condoléances à Danielle et la famille. Certes j’avais croisé Shig à quelques occasions au travail mais j’ai surtout eu le bonheur de mieux le connaître durant les dernières cinq années alors que nous avions d’intéressantes conversations en route vers nos réunions informelles mensuelles d’anciens du ministère. Aimé de tous, il apportait une contribution très appréciée lors de ces rencontres. Il démontrait à tous une force de caractère indéniable pour relever les défis de santé auxquels il faisait face.
On aimait bien aussi le croiser au MIFO ou lors de spectacles au centre Shenkman.
Repose en paix mon ami.
Roger Bélanger
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.
I first met Shig when Danielle and I were training as foreign service secretaries in the 1970s and he was training as an officer. Just the other day, I came across photos of their wedding I attended. I was looking forward to Shig and Eric and I reliving some of our past experiences when they stopped in to visit me in Calgary on their way back from the coast. It was not to be but I have memories of Shig I will cherish for the rest of my life. I will miss his humour, his kindness, and his thoughtfulness in keeping in touch when we lived so far apart. My sympathies to Danielle and the rest of his family. He always spoke so highly of all of you and was so proud of each and every one of you.
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.
Shig & my husband, Ron Dexter, became great friends at Dovercourt. I was so saddened to hear of his death during his western travels. We kept following his adventure. Unfortunately, Ron also passed away on October 29, very peacefully, after his few months of intense pain & discomfort. Sending you Danielle & all your family my deepest sympathy. Diane.
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.
C’est seulement aujourd’hui que je viens d’apprendre le décès de Shig.. Toutes mes sincères condoléances à ses parents, famille et amis. J’ai connu Shig au début de sa carrière. Je profitais de mon passage au ministère pour le saluer lorsque cela m’étais possible.
Souvenirs à Danielle.
Danielle, thinking of you and your family at this sad time with the loss of your dear husband Shig.
My deepest condolences.
Margaret
Shig will always be remembered as such a kind, thoughtful individual. I worked with Shig for many years in Global Affairs at which time he always shared his deep knowledge and wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. An exceptional and wise individual. My deepest sympathy to Danielle and his family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
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.
I met Shig in the post stroke aqua class at Dovercourt about 9 (??) years ago. He was always very funny and called me his ‘splash’ partner. He was always very helpful and considerate. He also always kept up with everyone! When our courses were over, we often travelled home together, as we both lived in the East of Ottawa. I did follow his travel log on facebook. That’s how I found out about his death. I am so sorry that we didn’t meet before any more, but I was looking forward to seeing him again after his trip, but it was not to be! So sorry about his passing, Danielle. And I send you and your family my sympathy and condolences. Splash partner you left us too early!! Dovercourt won’t be the same without you!!! And don’t get any idea of Splashing us from above!!! Barbara
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.
Quelle triste nouvelle que cette rapide disparition de Shig, un ami d’une sensibilité tout à fait particulière, que j’ai eu le plaisir de côtoyer à plusieurs reprises au sein de notre ministère des Affaires étrangères. Mes plus profondes condoléances à tous les siens, et à ses nombreux amis.
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
Je me souviens lorsque vous êtes venus tous les deux aux Guides pour nous aider lors d’une réunion sur le thème international avec costumes, masques, jeux… quelle belle soirée. Bon courage à toute la famille en ces moments difficiles. Mes prières vous accompagnent
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
Je vous offre mes plus sincères condoléances en ce moment difficile. Mes pensées les plus chères sont avec vous.
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.
J’ai appris en début de semaine que Shig nous avait quittés pour de bon. Carole et moi gardons notamment un beau souvenir de notre séjour à Dakar en sa compagnie et celle de Danielle. Shig était la générosité même. Nos condoléances à Danielle et sa famille.
Carole Dupuis-Têtu et Richard Têtu
Nos sincères condoléances à Danielle ainsi qu’à toute la famille. Shig fut un sincère ami et il nous manquera beaucoup.
Mes plus vives sympathies à Danielle et toute la famille de Shig pour cette grande perte qui nous a tous pris par surprise. Shig nous laisse d’excellents souvenirs: il était toujours souriant et plaisant. Il avait toujours le temps pour ses collègues et amis. Même à la retraite, il égayait notre quotidien par ses salutations et ses communications sur les réseaux sociaux. Il va beaucoup nous manquer.
Nos sincères condoléances à toi Danielle et ta famille.
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Danielle and the Uyeyama family.
As a GAC employee, I had the pleasure of working with Shig in the Middle East and North Africa Division. In later years, I occasionally met for fun lunches with him and Elaine Sullivan Butcher at different restaurants in Ottawa. I was sorry that those lunches were put on hold during the pandemic. I always enjoyed catching up on his news. Shig was such a kind and generous man that he’ll always have a place in my heart. I miss him.
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
I never worked with Shigeru. However please accept my deepest condolences on your great loss.
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.
C’est avec grande tristesse que j’apprends cette nouvelle. J’ai rencontré Shig sur le tard mais ai toujours eu grand plaisir à discuter avec lui.
Je vous prie d’accepter mes très sincères condoléances et l’expression de ma plus profonde sympathie.
Bien cordialement,
Bernard Nguyen
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.
Nos plus sincères condoléances pour toute la famille, nous avons d’excellents et chaleureux souvenirs de Shig et Danielle à Abidjan.
Tina et Bruno Engel
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.
Mes sympathies tante Danielle, les cousin.e.s, et vos familles respectives.
Si j’avais été présente aujourd’hui, j’aurais aimé vous dire que Shig était un oncle exceptionnel.
Il était souriant, généreux, accueillant, curieux, encourageant, ouvert, respectueux.
Sa passion pour la fonction publique m’a convaincue de poursuivre cette voie.
J’ai une grande admiration pour son positivisme.
Je garde de vives souvenirs des Noël en famille chez vous quand on était jeune,
des parties de cartes, de sa complicité avec Mémé, de ses questions, de son esprit
rassembleur et de son rire contagieux.
Je vous embrasse et vous serre dans mes bras à distance. Je suis désolée de son départ subit,
qui laisse un grand vide dans vos vies et vos coeurs. Je vous remercie pour la belle cérémonie,
et vos témoignages touchants. Je vous envoie mes plus sincères condoléances.
Il me manquera beaucoup aussi.
À bientôt
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.
Chère Danielle
Mes sincères sympathies à l’occasion du décès de ton conjoint. Mes condoléances à toute votre famille! Je penserai à vous en ces temps difficiles.
Une ex-collègue,
Marlène Jacques
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