March On! ...the history of the
Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Kimiko Yamada
Corps: Jokers (in Japan), Optimists Alumni
December 17, 1978 – July 28, 2025
Kimiko Yamada, another friend from the Optimists Alumni, passed away on July 28, 2025. Kimmy had played Soprano with "The Jokers" in Osaka, Japan. In 2009, while living in Toronto to learn English, she joined the Optimists Alumni. I remember her strapping her horn to her bicycle and riding about 13 km each way to rehearsals at the Legion on Lakeshore Rd.
Even after her return to Japan, Kimmy periodically joined us. I can remember her being with us in Rochester in 2011, Indanapolis for Soundsport in 2016 plus Jeju, South Korea in both 2017 and 2019.
On the Optimists Alumni Facebook page, Mike Lang wrote:
Kimiko fought a valiant battle with an aggressive stage four cancer diagnosis. Numerous different chemo treatments were tried and Kimiko endured them all with great bravery. Kimiko passed away today (July 28, 2025) with family around her at a palliative care facility close to her home in Osaka Japan.
Kimiko had been in contact with a number of friends and family through her final weeks through messaging, phone calls and visits. She knew how special she was to us as we shared pictures of happier times, videos and words of encouragement.
Kimiko, Barry, Kirstin and Doug (Jeju, South Korea, 2017)
Kimiko was a remarkable lady. She joined the Optimists Alumni in Spring 2009 while visiting Canada on a student visa. She played alto soprano and later second trumpet. She amazed all of us by memorizing our complete show in less than two weeks to join us on stage at the St. Joe's of Batavia indoor show in Rochester. Kimiko performed our full schedule that year including Santa Claus parades in the snow. Kimiko remained active with us for a number of years after her return to Japan by using her holidays to travel to meet us in various locations including South Korea in 2017 and 2019. She was a friend to all of us, whether it was sharing camaraderie, humour or the occasional adult beverage (she was hangover proof). There will be a wake for her on Wednesday July 30, 2025 and a funeral on July 31, 2025 in Osaka. A floral arrangement from the Optimists Alumni is being ordered.
Kimiko. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!