August 4, 1929 – October 2, 2022
It is with great sadness that we share that Mikio Chiba passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He is dearly missed by his loving wife of 66 years, Kyoko, son Naoki and daughter Julie, daughter-in-law Christina and grandchildren Kentaro, Seiji, Kayla and Elisa as well as extended family in Japan.
Mikio was a happy, stoic and positive man that enjoyed all that life has to offer.
He completed his PhD in analytical chemistry in 1962 in Japan and moved to Canada that same year to work at the National Research Council in Ottawa. In 1967 he moved to St. Catharines and started work at the research station at Agriculture Canada in Vineland where he worked for 32 years retiring at the age of 69. Forever inquisitive, he enjoyed a challenge and has a long list of accomplishments as a research scientist with two patents and many publications to his name. Mikio was an honorary professor at Brock University where he was deeply committed to the success of graduate students.
He always approached tasks with a thoroughness and passion that made him excel at whatever he put his mind to. He was a scholar, scientist, photographer, strategic tennis and ping pong player, mountain climber, gardener and cook. He shared his love of Japan and Japanese culture by founding the Japanese Cultural Society of St. Catharines. He brought the strategic, challenging Japanese board game Go to the cultural society and patiently taught many to enjoy (but no one was able to beat him, even with significant handicap!). He loved organizing social events and was known for bringing in food and treats for the team at Agriculture Canada during the holiday season. He loved to cook, making a mouth-watering sukiyaki, tempura, roast turkey (always tender!) and stir-fried rice noodles.
The family will honour and celebrate Mikio and his impact on others in a private ceremony. To honour his memory, donations to the Alzheimer Society or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (or the charity of your choice) would be greatly appreciated. The family would like to thank family physician Dr Anna Kizior-Hajduk, Bayshore Nurses of the Palliative Care Team and the Right at Home PSW’s – (especially Khalid) who provided such kind and caring support especially over the last several months of his life.
Arrangements entrusted to GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph. We invite you to leave your memories and donations online at www.gilchristchapel.com and they will be forwarded to the family.