Local Family Mourns the Passing of Beloved Patriarch Joe A. Uchida

The Uchida family, owners of Bellefontaine Nursery in Pasadena, is mourning the loss of patriarch Joe A. Uchida, who died at his home in South Pasadena on Nov. 13 at the age of 94. 

Born June 24, 1926 in Pasadena, Uchida was the fifth child of Kuniyoshi and Sayo Uchida, who founded the nursery in 1939.  

From 1952 until his retirement in 2006, Uchida was instrumental in the growth and development of the nursery.  His son, Alan, and nephew Dale are the third generation to run the nursery, one of the oldest Japanese-American establishments in Pasadena.

When World War II broke out, Uchida and his family were incarcerated at Gila River internment camp. There he graduated from high school. 

In August 1945 Uchida was drafted into the US Army. Upon completion of his military service, he attended USC on the G.I.Bill, graduating with a business degree and becoming a proud lifelong Trojan!

In 1952 Uchida married the love of his life, Agnes Ashizawa. Together they have three children, Alan, Craig and Naomi, three grandchildren, Maria, Jennifer and Melinda, and two great-grandchildren, Cora and Lucy.

Family members fondly say that if you knew Joe Uchida, you knew his smile and his wry sense of humor. He lived a long and fulfilling life and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Uchida’s name to the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF) or the Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute (PCJI) are appreciated.

National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF)
4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #106-236
Washington DC 20016
https://www.njamemorial.org/donate-index-impact

Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute
595 Lincoln Ave., #201
Pasadena, CA 91103
http://www.pjci.org