Robert L. Tagami

Resident of Watsonville

January 16, 1908 – September 1, 2012

Robert Lanias Tagami died peacefully at his home in Watsonville on Saturday, September 1, 2012. He was 104. He had been a resident of Watsonville for 68 years.

Mr. Tagami was born on January 16, 1908 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, Philippines to Hilariana and Domingo Tagami. At the age of 13, he arrived in Hawaii with his father and later moved to California. He met Judith Balcena in Lompoc, California and they were married on February 27, 1943. They settled in Watsonville in 1944 and raised their family. Mr. Tagami briefly sharecropped strawberries on Holm Road, but he worked most of his life as a field laborer in the lettuce and artichoke industry.

He enjoyed gardening, watching San Francisco Giants Baseball, and Manny Pacquiao boxing matches, but his real passion was his family. He loved family gatherings and he would open his home to anyone that knew him or his family. He was a man of few words, but had a special wisdom and knowledge teaching his children the values of life.

Mr. Tagami is survived by his wife of 69 years, Judith Tagami; eight children: Andrea Bucaloy of Watsonville, Lene Tagami of San Jose, Robert (Judy) Tagami of Vancouver, WA, Rey (Judy) Tagami of Pebble Beach, Fred Tagami of Watsonville, Richard (Diane) Tagami of Aromas, and Alan (Lynne) Tagami of Hollister; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff Tagami.

A memorial gathering will be planned for a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.

For the complete article see the 09-06-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 09-06-2012 paper.

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