JAMsj Paul Sakamoto Celebration of Life

This is an open event for the friends and family of Paul Sakamoto, who passed away on October 27, 2023. The Celebration of Life event will be held outdoors in the historic Heinlenville Park, located in San Jose Japantown.

Paul was the first Asian American superintendent of schools (on the Mainland) and mentor to many civic leaders. Paul was a founding member of Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), who worked on the first AAPI oral history event in the Valley, "Why America" in 1976, and other community projects over the years. Paul Sakamoto was "a man for all seasons" who donated the many cherry trees flowering at Hakone Gardens today.

It is very appropriate that Paul's celebration of life will be at Heinlenville Park. He was born nearby at a boarding house on 5th and Jackson Streets. This event is planned and arranged by a committee from Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), who knew Paul well from different aspects of his career. 

An RSVP is not required to attend, but you are encouraged to RSVP, either to psakamotoclc@gmail.com or by filling out the RSVP form.