Hiroshi “Hersh” Aramaki, age 97, passed away on April 8, 2022 peacefully at home in Salt Lake City. He was born in Price, Utah to Asajiro and Yasu Aramaki, where he grew up and worked on the family farm. He graduated from Carbon High, volunteered to serve in the US Army and was a member of the all Japanese 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The motto of the 442nd was “Go For Broke” which, according to the Go For Broke National Education Center, meant that they would put everything on the line to win the war in Europe, and the war against racial prejudice at home. He was assigned to the Cannon Company and fought in Italy and France during WWII. In 1945 Hersh was wounded by artillery shrapnel which immediately and abruptly put an end to his military service. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and in 2011 was able to travel with his family to Washington DC, where the 442nd, MIS and 100th Infantry Battalion collectively received the Congressional Gold Medal, our nation’s highest civilian honor. Hersh had a quiet grace and didn’t speak of his military career for many decades. When asked what he liked most about his trip to DC, he said “being with my family”.
Hersh married Mary Sakashita and together they raised their family in Salt Lake City. He was wise, talented and great with his hands which led to a career in designing and building Hydroswift and Starfire boats and then in his later years, being part of the team to design and build the monorail for the Getty Museum. Retirement didn’t stop him from working and up until 2020, when the pandemic hit, he spent every morning helping his son Dale at Uptown Service. His quiet nature, yet sharp wit, instantly made him an Uptown favorite and customers would come in just to see Hersh. Over the past two years, Covid kept him away from Uptown Service and he truly missed seeing the customers and friends who had become a big part of his life.
Hersh enjoyed boating, water skiing and fishing on all of the lakes in Utah. Long weekend fishing trips to Lake Naughton in Kemmerer, WY were frequent. He also loved playing the card game Hana with friends and going “out west” to Wendover. In his early years he was known as “Herc”, short for Hercules, a name he acquired for being the arm wrestling champ in Salt Lake’s Japantown. Even into his later years, he would still accept an arm wrestling challenge from his grandkids. For the past forty years, he has been known as “Grumpy”, a nickname affectionately given to him by his grandson while they were at Disneyland. He was, however, far from being Grumpy. He was quick to smile and laugh and had a great sense of humor. Hersh was hardworking, strong and tough, yet humble, patient and kind. His favorite hobby was being surrounded by the love and laughter of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nothing brought him more joy than being with his family and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We will all miss the shortest 5’6” person ever.
The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to Dr. Roy Gandolfi for his excellent and compassionate care throughout the years. Between both our parents, we saw Dr. Gandolfi so often, we thought he was our sibling. A heartfelt thank you to Mike Sanders, RN and Joanne Nam, NP for their loving care and support to the family.
Hersh is survived by his children, Craig (Tina), Dale, Jeri (Gary), 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, daughter in law Teresa, sister Mary Ichiuji, sister in law Jane Sakashita, brother in law Kayo Hayakawa and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, parents and siblings, Saige, Shizuko, Masao, Shigeru and Junji.
Family funeral services will be held at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple. Online condolences may be sent to AramakiFamily92@gmail.com In lieu of flowers, and if so desired, please consider a donation in Hersh’s memory to the Go For Broke National Education Center GoForBroke.org
