Obituary

Tomomi “Tom” Matsushima, 89, of Chicago died July 28, 2015 from dementia.
Tom Matsushima was a hard working, feisty, generous man. He was a past President of the Nisei Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps. The Board of Directors which was made up primarily of distinguished gentlemen of Japanese-American ancestry. They believed it was their obligation and duty (all voluntary) to provide the means to ensure the continuing existence of this great youth organization, for the youths of all ethnic groups, that comprised the Nisei Ambassadors. As a successful business owner, Tom was President of NDI, Inc, a chemical manufacturing company that supplied printing press cleaning solvent products to the Chicago Tribune, along with other regional and national newspapers. When he wasn’t working Tom enjoyed fishing, college basketball, and working in his darkroom where he developed black and white and color pictures taken by family and friends.
Early in life he developed an interest in music. He played in a band and throughout his life he enjoyed various genres of music from the Oak Ridge Boys to Yanni. At the end of his life Tom’s love of Yanni was instrumental in introducing the music to his nurse who now also enjoys Yanni’s music. Reading John Grisham novels was another activity he did in retirement even poolside in Arizona. He also traveled to Alaska and to Puerto Rico with his wife Alice. Later in life he loved spending time with his grandkids. As an early adopter of Apple products, Tom liked to explore all of the features to the point where he would find an obscure setting, change it, and then call his family to help him figure out what he did much to their exasperation!
Husband of 57 years to Alice; father of Patricia (Dennis) Cox and Paul (Renee); grandfather of Gregory and Matthew Cox; brother of Merry Kumataka and brother-in-law of Sam Sasaki.
Visitation will be Saturday August 1, 2015 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service with a repast immediately following the service at Lakeview Funeral Home, 1458 W. Belmont, Chicago. Interment private. For information 773-472-6300 or www.lakeviewfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center, http://www.carecenter.org