ShofusoDonations in Steve’s memory can be made to Shofusō, Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, which Steve loved and supported. Link here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xKEWmF2mA&ab_channel=ShofusoJapaneseHouseandGarden
These are photos from the first time I ever met Steve - on August 28, 1999 at a performance by my deer dancing friends from Japan outside Shofuso. He was President of Shofuso's board at the time and was such an amazing host to my friends who didn't speak much English at all.
From that day, I was involved with Shofuso as a volunteer and later board member and often met and talked with Steve at events. I remember him branding hinoki sake cups at a Shofuso festival (back in the days when they were small, 'street festival' style events with home made noodles by Louise Maehara for sale, or teriyaki dogs from a BBW grill). He was also supportive of Shofuso's taiko group, KyoDaiko, often liking and sharing our Facebook posts, and bringing us in to perform at a Medford Leas New Years celebration. KyoDaiko doesn't award Facebook badges, but if we did, Steve would have earned the Top Supporter badge!
The time I got to know him best was when we both met up in Sendai City in 2011, a few months after the tragic, triple disaster in Tohoku. Taeko Shervin had held a fund-raising day of tea ceremonies at Shofuso and had decided to give it directly to Sendai City for their victims support fund. I learned that Steve had agreed to hand deliver the funds to Sendai City to avoid bank transfer fees etc. Because I was going to Iwate for a wedding at the same time and wanted to hand deliver funds raised by KyoDaiko, Steve agreed to include me in his plans with the Miyagi Goodwill Guide Club who set us up with a meeting with Sendai's Deputy Mayor Ito. Steve took the cash funds KyoDaiko raised, exchanged them to Yen (covering the exchange fee out of his own pocket) AND added his own donation to make it a good, round number to stuff in the envelope for the presentation. All the ensure that absolutely every penny we collected could be donated directly to the fund. That is how I remember Steve - and I am so grateful to have known him.
Attached photos (these are photos of photos, so apologies for the poor quality):
- Steve speaking with the leaders of the Shishi Odori (Deer Dance) group from Esashi, Iwate - Japan.
- Steve in the far left at the video tripod - because he was typically doing more than one job at any given Shofuso event!
- Shishi Odori group gathered at the start of the dance.
- Audience participation with guests and former Shofuso staff, Durrel Griffith.
- More of the dance.
Best wishes,
Therese
