Steve Oikawa

Steve began his volunteer participation at the Centre in the 1970s, helping at various events and assisting as one of many dedicated instructors of the Centre’s Shito Ryu Itosukai Karate Club led by Kei Tsumura. He achieved the level of 3rd Dan. He began his participation on the Board of the JCCC in 1987, served as president for two terms during his tenure, and continues as an advisor to the Board. During the years of Metro Toronto Caravan, he served as the Mayor of the Tokyo Pavilion for three years. The JCCC is a family affair for the Oikawa’s, with his wife Linda and their three adult children, Dereck, Sandra, and Catherine, familiar faces at the Centre. Professionally, he was in the telecommunications industry's engineering and construction disciplines, retiring in 2015 after a 40-year career. He served in companies including Bell Canada, Prestige Telecom, and Aecon Construction, serving in various capacities, including General Manager Ontario Provincial, Vice President Engineering, and the Director of telecommunications. In 1997, he received the Citizenship Award from the Professional Engineers of Ontario. He was recently honored with the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun Gold and Silver Rays from the Government of Japan. Stephen has the designation of Professional Engineer and obtained his Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Toronto in 1975.