SHISHIDO

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 05:26:03 :

Marin Independent Journal
Friday, June 7, 1985

GEORGE SHISHIDO

George Shishido, a former math teacher, restaurant owner and gardener, died Tuesday at the Rafael Convalescent Hospital in San Rafael a month before his 108th birthday.

Before his birthday last year, Mr. Shishido said his goal was to live for 40,000 days or about 110 years.

“I was reading in the newspaper the other day about a man who had reached his 129th birthday. But I’m not sure I’m willing to go that far,” he once mused.

Mr. Shishido was born in Japan on July 11, 1877. He was a math teacher in Japan before coming to Southern California where he owned and operated a restaurant until World War II.

During the war, he was sent to a concentration camp. He later worked as a relocation camp cook in Arkansas. After leaving the camp, Mr. Shishido worked as a gardener in Marin. He continued gardening until his mid-80s.

“I’m a little man, but I am a hard worker,” he said.

One of his proudest moments came in 1952 when he became an American citizen. He was an avid voter and a strong Ronald Reagan booster, casting his vote for the president last year.

Mr. Shishido never married, but lived with a Swedish woman for 40 years until she died a few years ago.

At his request, there will be no service. Inurnment will be in Japan.