This site is for
Tony Yamamoto.
Tony became a quadriplegic in December 2007 when he fell and dislocated his spinal cord. Tony passed away on November 1, 2008 after an inspirational fight to overcome his disabilities. All of us learned about a new Tony after his injury, especially his unflagging humor and a grace under adversity that we will all strive to achieve in our own lives. A very deep and heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped Tony and his family during his struggle.
February 23, 1953 – November 1. 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 1, 2008
Dear Friends,
Tony passed away last night around midnight. The
girls and I were there together - just what we all had wanted. Over the
week's time we were all able to share our times together; the trips we
made and the way he made us all laugh. We had a perfect 5 days together
and he passed away very peacefully.
Tony was tired of the fight; he just
couldn't do it anymore and let me know that he was ready to go. At one
point during the past week he told us that he wanted each of us to have
a new life here on Earth. He asked Anna to be sure to fish because it
was always a beautiful thing to watch. He asked Katie to study hard as
she enters grad school in the fall. With peacefull eyes he asked that I
take care of myself and the girls.
The night before he died he was very alert(and kept us up all night!)
He was in and out and would call one of our names - we would hurry over
to find out what he was trying to say, but as soon as we were by his
bedside he'd fall asleep in the middle of a sentence. He was able to
say a few things we understood. He called a few times for his Mom and
also our old dog Kodiak. One of the last things he said was "all my
castings laying on the water . . . it's so beautiful."
Details of Tony's wishes will
be posted on the website in the next day or two.
Thank you for your hearts, your whisperings and your prayers.
Love,
Sue, Katie and Anna
After
three months in
Boston hospitals, Tony arrived home on March
7th, 2008.