Sadao Matsunami, a native of Watsonville California, passed away on February 2, 2021, at 84 years of age. Sadao was born on May 8, 1936, in Manchuria China to Mitsuo Matsunami & Misao Kunishige. The family moved back to Yamaguchi-ken in Japan a year after their stay was completed in China. Five years later, the family immigrated to Watsonville California.

Sadao was the eldest of nine children. He attended Watsonville High School and was a graduate of the University of...

Sadao Matsunami, a native of Watsonville California, passed away on February 2, 2021, at 84 years of age. Sadao was born on May 8, 1936, in Manchuria China to Mitsuo Matsunami & Misao Kunishige. The family moved back to Yamaguchi-ken in Japan a year after their stay was completed in China. Five years later, the family immigrated to Watsonville California.

Sadao was the eldest of nine children. He attended Watsonville High School and was a graduate of the University of California at Davis with a degree in Food Technology. Sadao served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1962 due to the passing of his father Mitsuo Matsunami. Sadao took over the family farm and helped his mother raise his younger siblings. He was a successful strawberry farmer for the Naturipe Berry Growers for approximately 40 years before retiring.

Sadao enjoyed many hobbies and affiliations. He loved singing. He sang with the Watsonville Kinyu Kai, Kayo club, and also participated in a Japanese singing contest on NHK TV. He was active in the Watsonville Buddhist Temple. Sadao held many positions serving the temple and its members. Many people knew he was handy and creative. In his younger days, he designed and built his own dune buggy, one-man helicopter, and various agricultural devices.

Sadao is survived by his loving wife Sumiko, daughter Ayumi (Kenneth) Dairokuno, son Mitsuo Matsunami, his three grandchildren: Sarah, Emily, & Aaron Dairokuno,  four sisters: Harumi Kuwada, Fusae Hope, Nobuyo Breen, Satsuki Ruiz, and brother Hitoshi Matsunami.

Due to the current social restrictions, the family will have a private service. Mehl’s Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.