Birth date: Jun 17, 1947 Death date: Jul 30, 2020
Towata, Jr., John S., in San Leandro, July 30, 2020. Beloved father of Allison Van Voorhis, Lindsey Fukasawa, Amanda Melsby, Jonathan Towata, Philip Knezevich and Anna Towata. Loving grandfather of Zoey and Zachary Fukasawa. Fath Read Obituary
I was a friend of the family and I remember how loved Mr. Towata was by his children and the community. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing.
Christy Begley
I just walked into the old Towata Flower Shop on Santa Clara Ave (now a new flower business) and found out about Jr. I’m heartbroken. I have fond memories of working with Jr. and Dennis back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Johnny, Anna and Dorothy were so kind to me. I remember sitting at the table for lunch and Jr. and Chuck Mudge would try and out do each other on the hottest pepper stuff they could find. Crazy! Every work table in the place in the back had cigarette burns from Johnny. So many memories.
I am so grateful to Lily and Jr.! In the mid 1980's, Lily suggested I help sweep the floors at the shop but I ended up learning so much more. The shop was an important part of my growing up. I learned how to talk to customers, make bows and arrangements and so much more! It was my first job in 8th grade and I worked thru HS and during summer breaks in college. I met so many WONDERFUL people!! I have so many great pictures and great memories of all the fun we had. Jr. will always have a special place in my heart!
My family's relationship with the Towata Family go back more than a century, John Junior's father and my father grew up in the tight-knit Japanese American community of Alameda, California and were life-long friends. John Junior's parents, Anna and John Towata and my parents were lifelong friends. The Flower Shop of John Towata was famous in Alameda and the East Bay, and John Junior carried on the family legacy after he graduated from U.C. Berkeley, not only running flower shops, but also taking leadership roles in the trade organization, Florists' Transworld Delivery. Many local families called on John Junior to create floral arrangement for important occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, and funerals. His artistry and generosity were legendary. In addition, John Junior was a loving son, providing day-to day care for his mother for many years., We will sorely miss your cheerful presence at church and temple events. Rest in Peace, Dear Friend.
Evelyn Nakano Glenn
John Junior (always "Junior" to friends and family :o) was a dear friend, who really was a a part of the Nakano family in Alameda. Junior was always there for our important family events, including the memorial service for my grandmother, when he gave us a beautiful orchid which lived for years and was a constant reminder of both my grandmother and Junior's generosity. I also remember arriving at the Alameda Buddhist Temple bazaar each year and scanning the crowds for Junior - I could always catch his kind, smiling face from among the sea of people. Rest in peace Junior, you were loved and will be missed.
