Takeshi Tuk Tada
September 3, 1926 - May 13, 2009
Obituary
Takeshi ‘Tuk’ Tada, age 82, passed away peacefully at his home on May 13th, surrounded by his loving family. Tuk spent his entire career in the grocery industry. His father, Kinzo Tada, was a grocer for 60 years. Around the age of 10, Tuk’s first job was riding his bike to customer’s homes, taking their orders, and then returning to deliver their groceries. He joined the Army during World War II and served in military intelligence and counter-intelligence. After the war, he returned to work at City Cash Grocery, the family store. In August, 1964, Tuk began working at the University Village QFC, and in 1969, he became manager of the QFC store at the south end of Mercer Island. He proudly managed the store for 25 years and considered many of the customers his personal friends. A simple man of honesty, honor, and integrity, he will be remembered for his humor and kindness toward all. For 52 years, he was married to his loving wife, Virginia, whom he cared for during her struggle with cancer until she passed away in April, 2001. He is survived by three children: Randy Cheryl of Bellevue, Wendy Tim Ragen of Washington, DC, and Richard Sue of Issaquah; two grandsons: Alex and Brett; and three siblings: Kazuo Justyn Tada of Lincoln, Nebraska, Norma Walter Heen of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Carol Kenzo Moriguchi of Seattle.
Uncle Tuk was one of a kind. His sense of humor, generosity and kindness will always be remembered. There would not be a gathering that he would not have a funny joke, pun or funny toy. And although we would sometime roll our eyes on how ‘silly’ or ‘corny’ they were, we truly appreciated his jokes and he got such a good laugh out of it. One memory I won’t forget is his fork with a 3 foot extension on it at Christmas dinner. What a surprise when you see a fork come out of no where on your plate. It was hilarious and the smile it put on Uncle Tuk’s face!!! My kids enjoyed going to uncle tuk’s house and we are grateful he lived so close making it easy for frequent visits. You are dearly missed. Kristi
Tuk and Virginia were very special people. He had a wonderful sense of humor. I can still remember his laugh. When our children were young we asked Tuk if they would be the childrens god parents. We felt such a peace knowing that if something were to happen to us that they would be well taken care of. Harry remembers playing Cribbage with Tuk, Bob Witt, and the meat manager during their lunch hour. Tuk loved playing Crib, but even more he loved winning. He is missed more than he will ever know.
Tuk was a huge influence in my life. I came to work at QFC when I was 15 1/2 years old and worked there through college.. Tuk’s family was close family friends of my fathers family from as far back as 1930. My father worked for his father in his grocery store. Tuk was a man of honesty and integrity. He had a great sence of humor. I remember him laughing at me many times when I messed up at work at QFC. I was laughing right along with him.. Tuk was a great friend, Jeff Guinn and I learned so much from him. I have and will miss him. I have thought of him so many times. I am very lucky to of known him and his family.
Tony Pietromonaco
Randy, Wendy, Richard and families:
My condolences to you. Tak was a good friend and neighbor for my parents and I enjoyed my talks with him during the last year when I’d go to my mom’s home to check up on things. I will remember his kindness in helping my mom during her later years and “keeping an eye out” for her. He will be missed. The last time Candace and I went to visit him he had, unbeknownst to us passed, which we discovered a few days later.
I hope you the best during these times.
Take care,
Merwin
Tuk is not only a legend for QFC but also for Mercer Island. He was manager at the south end for 25 years. I became his wine steward in 1989.
Customers have shared remembrances with me. One man said he had missed getting to the bank before a plane trip. Tuk gave him several hundred out of his own wallet for the customer to pay back on his return. One recently-widowed customer could not access her bank money. Tuk set up a charge account for her so “at least you don’t have to worry about feeding your family.”
He and Virginia took many great trips before she became ill. One included a cruise to Europe on the QEII, a train trip on the Orient Express, and a return flight on the Concord. Knowing my interest in food and wine, he gave me the menus and wine lists from the ship and plane.
Whenever an assistant manager was transferred to Tuk’s store, everyone knew that person’s next assignment would be manager of his or her own store. People were assigned to him to hone their skills.
I saw Tuk last summer in the North Mercer store and metioned him in my wine column under Celebrity Sightings. I heard back later that Tuk was delighted.
Tuk was the epitome of QFC. The striving for good customer service. The feeling of small town closeness. All of us who knew him will miss him.
Tuk and I were both Store Managers at QFC. When I first became a Store Manager in 1982, I began playing golf again after not playing for 15 years. I wanted so badly to improve my game, that I decided to play every week through the winter of 1983. Tuk was the only one to weather that storm with me. We played pretty much every Thursday morning, just the two of us, usually at Jackson Park, all through the winter. One morning the ground was frozen so solid that ours balls bounced forever, like playing on concrete. My last name is Shepard, and whenever I could actually muster a par on a hole, Tuk would yell out “shePARd!!!!” My current golf buddies still call me shePARd. I will remember Tuk for his corny jokes, falling asleep at QFC Manager meetings, and most of all for being a dear friend. I will cry in his absence. I will miss him dearly. Although I will pray for him, I don’t really think I need to. He was that one person I ever knew who won’t need that kind of assistance or intervention.
Emerson said, “the greatest gift is a portion of yourself”. Tuk truly lived that gift. I first met Tuk at the MI QFC with my dad Ed Hosley. While Dad was grocery shopping, Tuk and he often shared memories of their individual histories in the family grocery businesses of their youth. Both became leaders and mentors. Later, we connected the dots when Randy and Cheryl became our great friends. We always enjoyed visiting with Tuk at the New Year’s Party when he was surrounded by his biggest accomplishment, a loving and generous family. No words can describe the loss of a father, grandfather, uncle, friend and mentor……but he will remain with you always in your heart and attitude toward those in your lives.
Love,
Steve and Diane
I worked with Tuk at the Mercer Is. store for about 8 years. During that time we became great friends. A treasured hi-lite for me was the time he said to me that I was like a son to him. We played cribbage at work everyday during both breaks and an hour long lunch. For 8 years on Saturdays what became known as sodium Sat. we split a pack of Oberto hot links and a loaf of french bread. Splitting the bread in quarters and cramming 2 sausages in each quarter. Also monthly Tuk and Virginia would go out to dinner at nice restaurants all around Seattle with another couple Harry and Yvonne Morris and me and my wife Sue.
Thank You for the friendship and memories.
You will be missed my friend.
Old friends never die, I can see him like it was just yesterday. I always meant for us to get together and catch up on all the events past. I am truly sorry this did not happen. Goodby old friend.
Tuk was as fine a gentleman as there ever was. What a wonderful person. Always smiling.,That is except when he found out he had Bells Paulsey! He thought he would have to retire. I told him about my brother, gave him the phone number, and he learned he could recover from it. Then, his lovely wife became ill. He has been greatly missed at QFC and we were very sad to learn of his passing. He was a real friend. You were very fortunate to have him in your family. Carole
Tuk was manager at QFC in the Admiral District of West Seattle until it closed and he transferred to Mercer Island where I visited him.
What a gracious gentleman. All of the people in our district missed him after his transfer.
I am sending his obit to Frances Ishihara White, my friend of 77 years as we met the first day of first grade in Enumclaw and she knew him well. a kind and respected man.
He was always there for me,through some pretty tough times,and I hope I was there for him when he needed someone to talk to. We tryed to have lunch and catch up often. I Loved him so much and he will always be with me.
Rich & family,
My sincere condolences on your loss. I have many fond memories of your Dad as a man of integrity, honesty, and good humor.
He often greeted me at work with a smile, and a “TT!”, the initials we had in common. Once while doing price changes alongside him, he showed me a box of golden raisins, and exclaimed “you know, these will always be the currant price.” Never mind about the Artie chokes 3 for a dollar story.
He will be missed, and kept in my prayers. I hope you take comfort in knowing Tuk was a positive influence on many lives. Kind regards, Tim Tobin