Obituary of Lawrence Hiroshi Mitani
Lawrence Hiroshi Mitani
August 27, 1941 – March 20, 2025
With great sadness, the family of Lawrence (Laurie) Mitani announces his passing on March 20, 2025, after a short illness.
Lawrence Hiroshi Mitani was born on August 27, 1941 to Hiroshi (Rush) and Mitsuye Mitani in New Westminster, B.C. The family moved inland to Manitoba during WWII and in 1945 moved to Dryden, Ontario; Lawrence became the eldest of four brothers and one sister.
As an outstanding athlete, Lawrence exhibited natural talents in football (QB with the Dryden High School Eagles) and hockey (Detroit Red Wings training camp at age 17), but it was the sport of Judo that Lawrence chose to excel. After earning his Black Belt at 19, Lawrence spent a year in Japan savouring the culture while honing his skills and mastering his ne-waza (groundwork technique). Upon returning to Canada, he captured numerous Midwestern Canadian Black Belt Championships and represented Ontario 5X at the Nationals. Lawrence achieved the high level of 6th degree black belt (Rokudan) in his judo career.
Retiring from competition at age 32, Lawrence’s sport involvement shifted to coaching. His primary focus was to promote the sport of judo as Head Instructor at the Dryden School of Judo, continuing his father's legacy (Rush), as well as serving as Regional Director on various Ontario Sports Councils. Lawrence was recognized as the Dryden Sportsman of the Year in 1981 for his unique contributions to sport, and in 1982, was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements and contributions in judo.
Laurie married the love of his life, a beautiful Fräulein, Erika Katharina Remmler, on July 13th, 1968. Family life started with Nicole’s birth in 1970, followed by Stefan in 1972. Thereafter, family holidays to Göppingen, Germany to visit with Erika’s parents Karl and Lina Remmler and family were frequent. Laurie quickly learned to navigate in German after he had to rely on his charade skills (chicken imitation) to buy baby food. Laurie, who has always led by his heart and his belly, came to love all things German, mainly Erika, but also beer and cheesecake (which he perfected baking). Nicole continued to explore her German ancestry by teaching in Germany for 7 years, while Stefan showed his adventurous spirit, courageously embarking on his education career in Southern Ontario. These endeavours were proud moments for both Erika and Lawrence.
As the children grew, sport became a family affair. When Nicole competed, Erika was the head coach, and Laurie served as assistant program co-ordinator of the Dryden Gymnastics Club. As Stefan progressed in judo, Laurie and Stefan were like Tiger and Earl, coach-mentor-father-partner. Memorable years in Dryden developed life-long friendships, and tears were shed when Erika and Laurie relocated to Waterloo, ON to be closer to their children.
After his retirement from The Dryden Pulp Mill, and Erika’s passing in 2005, Laurie continued to work as a CMA consultant. When he returned to Northwestern Ontario for business trips, Laurie treasured his love of the North, his connection to the people there, fresh fish, and his mom’s home cooking —a place which defined the very essence of home.
Although a man of few words, Laurie was so proud of his family and cherished the time spent with them. Many Asahi and Sapporo beer were enjoyed during a family dinner or a sporting event with his children. In recent years, Laurie’s dedication to sport never waned, just his role. Sitting in his La-Z-Boy cuddling one of his special furry felines, Sami, George or Aki, Laurie continued to appreciate the excellence in sport as he watched his favourite athletes, Tiger and Sid. If calls came in, conversation would be brief. Although watching from a different seat, when his Penguins won on March 21st, Laurie for sure knows the goal Sid scored was for him!
Lawrence was predeceased by his wife, Erika, parents Hiroshi and Mitsuye Mitani, brothers Dick and Doug, and in-laws Karl and Lina Remmler (parents) and Kurt and Marta Sommer (Erika’s sister). He will be forever in the hearts of his daughter Nicole (Steve Tomkins), son Stefan (Lisa), grandchildren Elijah and Kian Mitani, brother Don (Lyn), sister Donna (Jerome Peckham), sister-in-laws Donna (decd. Dick) and Renate Remmler (decd. Gerhard) and many nieces and nephews and cherished friends.
Lawrence, your true legacy transcended your profound love of sport. It shone brightest through your unwavering devotion to your family - always there when we needed you most.
Thank-you to the doctors and nurses at Grand River Hospital who cared for Lawrence.
Cremation has taken place and a private graveside service and celebration of Lawrence’s life will take place at a later date.
If family or friends desire, on-line donations may be made to donations@petpatrol.ca or mailed to The Pet Patrol (Elmira) Inc., PO Box 31, Wallenstein, Ontario N0B 2S0.