Hiroshi Goto, 80, passed away on June 14, 2024.
He was born in Kanagawa prefecture in Japan on January 18, 1944. He lived what would have been considered an ideal life in Japan.
Hiroshi Goto
He received his high school education from Shinjuku High School, and college education from Hitotsubashi University where he studied Economics. He went on to work for Japanline Co., a large shipping company.
Yet, at the age of 44, his yearning to experience life outside of Japan brought him and his family to the United States.
In the US, he lived in Palos Verdes, Moraga, Redmond, WA, and finally Aptos.
He enjoyed simple things in life.
He and his wife, Hiroko, have been spotted many times in Aptos picking up trash. They were proud of keeping the neighborhood clean for others to enjoy. Some days, they would spend 3 to 4 hours in various parts of the city picking up trash.
They also made homemade ice cream and invited their neighbors every year on July 4th.
He enjoyed singing in a choir, learning foreign languages, which included French, Italian, and German, cooking, and inviting guests to come taste his delicious food.
He was a member of Aptos United Methodist Church. As a lay person, he had studied classical Greek and Hebrew to better understand Scripture. Late in his life, he received a certificate to become a lay preacher. His thought-provoking and occasionally humorous sermons were enjoyed by many churches.
Hiroshi will be remembered by countless lives he touched for his generosity.
Hiroshi is survived by his wife, Hiroko, his two sons, Ken (Maki) and Shinya (Jennifer) and his grandchildren, Dakota, Miho, Reina, and Daiki.
His memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, at Aptos United Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Dr., at 10 a.m.