Reimon Natsu: Eulogy

Dearest Friends and Family,

Thank you for being here today to honor and remember my dad, Shoichi Nakano, also known as Kenta. 

In Dad’s last few moments, I wanted to tell him—and I did—“Buh-bah, it’s okay, you did it, we did it, we made it. I’m a doctor. You did it! I told him we won” I told him that I love him, we love him. I told him I was wearing my button down dress shirt, tucked in, and dress pants today, that I had shaved and combed my hair. It’s what Dad would have done, it didn’t matter if you were in a hospital gown, wheel chair, intubated, supine, prone, sedated, or conscious - you presented with poise, respect, dignity, kindness to all those around you, and a smile until the very end. We are the products of his love. The most important things I know, deep in my heart, the only things that matter in the long run dad, you taught me through your actions, until your very last minute with us, and your very last breath. Integrity. Strength. Fearlessness. Dignity. Persistence. Perseverance. Love. Family. Commitment. Loyalty. Curiosity. Education. Giving. “Dad, you always played the long game, you saw so far ahead.” And you did whatever it took. You taught me all of this. 

You know, Dad always found time to shave, comb his hair, put on a button-down shirt and nice slacks before heading out to the restaurant, or the textiles factory, or even the grocery store for that matter. He had great manners and a smile that was genuine… it was so cute… it would melt you.  People loved him everywhere he went, and this was just who he was. Not a malicious bone in his body. Communities built around dad. My patients have often told me, Doc, you have the best bedside manners…, well they’ve never met my dad, the ultimate si-fu; Dad’s charm, warmth, at absolute desire to please and deliver an experience would draw patrons in far and wide, from the entire Okanagan to the lower mainland, and it was so natural for him. That was Nurturing Communities 101. 

Family. It was all for us. In the last few days, I kept reminding dad, “We’re all here. Roger is here. Robert is here. Madison is here. Mom is here.” Family was what dad cherished most. Dad always knew how to find us and bring the family back together, how to bring us home. He did so with Mom, with my brothers, and when it was time for him to find me out of hiding, he could do it. He gave space when I needed space, and he pushed when he knew I needed a push or a pick-me-up. I’m sorry, Dad, for needing 5 years of space. Thank you for finding me in Tsawwassen when you did. Without a smartphone, GPS, or any other clue, I one day got a buzz at my apartment. I didn’t even know the apartment buzzer worked. It was Dad. He said, “bee-jai?” through a smile (that means baby boy). I couldn’t even believe it. Hundreds of kilometers, through the big city, back to the peninsula of B.C., and he found me. He looked at Mom with a chuckle and said, “I knew we could find him!” It was impressive. It was humorous. It was endearing.  He never held a grudge towards me, and nor I towards him. I had a special kind of relationship with dad. He gave me the opportunity to be a good son, time and again. This wasn’t the first time Dad found me. And each time, I was given the opportunity to show him the clinic where I work, the city I lived in, and the three of us, mom, dad and I would spend weeks together in the same city.

At each opportunity, I was able to gift my dad something I knew he would love—the opportunity to learn something new. Dad would learn anything. At any age. He never quit. He never stopped learning. The iPhone, iPad, iMessage, YouTube, Bitcoin. He would spend months learning and never give up. He never gave up on us. He never gave up on learning. On January 10th, 2024, my dad texted me, which is a marvel in and of itself, and he said: 

“Hi,Reimon,good morning ,seems like It’s very good News for the Bitcoin Financial today !!                                                       Please please check it out right away and got back to Dad thanks for everything ,good luck to you !! From Dad ❤️❤️😘😘🧧🧧” Indeed, Jan 10 was the historic day that the Bitcoin ETF was approved. Dad never ceased to amaze me. I was interested, so he was interested. 

Dad was a problem solver. He was so reliable. So focused. His grit, persistence, and fierce optimism alone would see the resolution through. With enough patience and time, he was always right. He always knew right from wrong, and it was always based on solid long-term principles. He could wait anyone out. He was so strong, and so kind. He gave what he could, and would find ways to give more. 

Dad, your love is solid. It’s so rock solid. Thank you. That smile. I got your smile, Dad. I know it. We all did. Dad, I want you to know that you made it. There is nothing to be ashamed of. No regrets, okay? This is a relay, and we got the torch now. Your legacy lives on through us. And we won’t let you down. Your dream of a large, beautiful, brilliant, loving, and inspiring family lives on through Ryo, all of whom are destined to do incredible things beyond what a passed generation would have thought possible from humble beginnings. Your human touch, community, giving, charity, education, culture, and authentic, raw emotion that connects on a human level with those who need it - lives on through Riku. Loyalty, commitment, love, that ride-or-die kind of love, inescapable love, lives on through Mom. And me, your insatiable desire to learn, to explore, to discover, to take exponential leaps in life beyond what ANYONE ever thought was possible, to dare to adventure, new countries and careers, skills, scaling mountains, and sailing oceans, your drive to find freedom for you and your family, to learn the skills and do whatever is necessary to get there, and TO BRING YOUR LOVED ONES WITH YOU, AS MANY, AS YOU CAN, TO THE BITTER END. Your courage, to take big moves, not small. You are so brave. This, I promise, will live on through me, Dad.

You have shown me unconditional trust. Fully. FULL FAITH IN ME. Even until the very, VERY END.  The very last breath. I’m so sorry, Dad. We tried so hard. I wish I could have given you more. More time. More travel. More homes. More experiences. More love. You deserved so much. And yet, you were so patient. Always so patient. Waiting for us to be ready. Never rushing. Never pressuring. Thank you for your unconditional love, trust, patience, commitment. 

Your legacy lives on through us, Dad. Forever and always. We will miss you so much.