Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Sekine, Sakaye November 26 2004
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K T bluewolf@onemain.com December 3, 2004, 2:19 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
Sakaye Sekine
02/18/1912 11/26/2004

Sakaye Sekine was born in Spreckelsville, Maui, February 18,1912. His parents 
were Eijiro and Haru Sekine. Papa spent time at a Buddhist Temple in Camp 5 
while his parents worked 10 hour days in the sugar cane fields for Baldwin 
Sugar Plantation. At age 9, Papa returned to Japan with his mother Haru and 
sister Hanaye. After finishing school in Japan in 1927, Papa returned to Maui. 
He built houses in Molokai for one month. He then returned to Maui and helped 
build a Hospital in Kula. After finishing the hospital, Papa found a job at 
the Baldwin Sugar Plantation. In 1937, Papa returned to Japan and toured Japan 
with his father and cousin. In 1938, Papa moved to Oahu, Hawaii and worked for 
William R. Castle near Waimanalo Beach, overlooking Rabbit Island on the East 
Shore. Papa remembered fondly of taking care of over 20 dogs for Mr. Castle. 
After the War started, Mr. Castle found Papa a job with a bus company further 
inland. Papa also had a chance encounter with the first POW at Schofield 
Barracks. After the War ended, Papa moved to Bakersfield, California where he 
was a landscape gardener for Mr. George Haberfelde. After a recommendation 
from the Haberfeldes, Papa found a job in Bel Air, California where he 
recalled seeing movie stars Orson Welles, Ricardo Montalban, and Erroll Flynn. 
In 1957, Papa returned to Bakersfield to live with his sister Hanaye, and 
worked at the cotton gin and as a landscape gardener for Mr. Frank Jeppi. He 
recalled the generosity of Mr. Jeppi receiving wine, buckets of eggs, and 
raisins during the Holidays. Mr. Jeppis daughter was also playful jumping on 
Papas back while he mowed their lawn.

In 1959, Papa returned to Japan and married Teru Kurotsu. Returning to 
Bakersfield in 1960, Papa spent the rest of his life as a landscape gardener 
for many of Bakersfields pioneering families including Dr. Lloyd Fox, Mr. Ben 
Sill, Mr. Oscar Rudnick, and Mr. Guy Hall. Papa recalled Mr. Hall worrying 
while constructing the Convention Center. Papa planted and nurtured many of 
the trees and plants in the Westchester and La Cresta neighborhoods that are 
flourishing today. Papa was Treasurer of the local Buddhist Temple and a 
member of the Bakersfield Gardeners Association. 

Through the past years, Papa enjoyed listening to the radio, including EVERY 
Dodger game, and although an FDR Democrat, Paul Harvey, Michael Reagan and 
Michael Savage. Even at 92, Papa could recall the events in his life as a 
child and in Bakersfield. His last night, Thanksgiving eve, Papa listened to 
talk radio, sang songs and said prayers. 

Papa is survived by his wife, Teru; son, Roy; sister, Mitsui in Japan; and 
niece, Kikue. We all love and miss you very much.


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.


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