Word has reached us of the passing of long-time distribution executive Kiyoshi “Kiyo” Nonomura on August 2 at the age of 89 in Brampton, Ont.
Kiyo was born in Vancouver, B.C. and moved to the Lethbridge, AB area in 1942 where he began work as a shipper receiver, eventually working his way up to Vice President Purchasing for Acklands Ltd. in Toronto.
His role there allowed him to travel to many places around the globe and for him to meet many in the aftermarket during these travels. He continued to have a keen interest in the automotive aftermarket after his retirement.
“I have kept in touch with Kiyo since his retirement 25 (If you can believe it) years ago,” writes Ken Coulter, President of Specialty Sales & Marketing.
“We tried to keep a bi-annual tradition of Fish and Chips at his fave restaurant in Brampton. Kiyo continually asked about Industry happenings; always interested in changes; but most important to him was the people,”
Long-time Western Canada aftermarket professional and Acklands colleague Sean Corcelli writes of Kiyo that “During the very formative years of the Bumper to Bumper auto parts program, Kiyo was an incredible resource for those of us in Western Canada. Anne (Corcelli) and I enjoyed a number of customer incentive trips with Kim & Kiyo.”
Kiyo played important roles in a succession of acquisitions and changes at Acklands involving the McKerlie-Millen organization, Motorite, and Regent, as well as subsequent sales of those organization to Grainger, CARQUEST, and Uni-Select respectively. He also assisted in the transition of McKerlie=Millen to CARQUEST.
Kiyo married Kim in 1954 and they were happily married for 68 years. They moved to Burnaby, B.C. in 1966 and to the Greater Toronto Area in 1969 – first to Etobicoke and then to Rosedale Village in Brampton in 1999.
He was a passionate gardener, and Kim & Kiyo won the Etobicoke Garden Award three times. Kiyo’s love of the outdoors is carried on by his sons through interests they shared with their Dad (photography and fly fishing). He also enjoyed doing stained glass and traveling, particularly with long-time best friends Kaz & Tosh Kanashiro, and he was always busy helping neighbours in whatever way he could.
Cherishing his memory and remembering him always are his loving wife, Kimiye “Kim”, his sons Kent and Kevin (Denise) and his grandchildren David (Tracy), Michael, and Robert. He will be missed by his sister Audrey Nishikawa and also by his many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Misao “Mary” and Shuji “Sam”, his brother George, sister-in-law Hats, and brother-in-law Harold Nishikawa.
A gathering honouring his life will occur at a later date. Details will be provided once they are finalized.
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