Saddened to hear of the passing of longtime Lions equipment manager Ken Kasuya, who has been a beloved part of the organization for more than 40 years. RIP, Kato.
Wow. I knew he has been dealing with some health issues in recent years but this is nonetheless very shocking. He will be missed.
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 9:52 am
by jmc24
Kato is a huge part of the BC Lions and their history. A great guy , a good friend ..... He will be missed. RIP
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 10:28 am
by Toppy Vann
Like others I did recall he had serious health issues but still a sad and shocking bit of news to fans.
Kato as I think they called him is a kind of a Bobby Ackles story IIRC - someone who just turned up and worked his way up to his dream role of equipment manager.
Not sure if Joe Paopao is still in Vancouver but weren't they room mates not that long ago - at the time of his last health issues where he missed TC I think it was?
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 10:52 am
by WestCoastJoe
Very sad news. As with many Lions' fans, I had many chats with Kato. Nicest, best guy you could ever meet.
He earned 5 of the 6 BC Lions Grey Cup rings. That's probably more than any other person - even more than Lui Passaglia who only has 4.
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 1:59 pm
by TheLionKing
A terrible loss for the Lions community. Met Ken couple of years ago at VGH where he was waiting to undergo kidney dialysis. RIP Kato
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:27 pm
by David
I had the pleasure of interacting with Kato at the Lions facility a number of times and found him to be a first-class guy. Like others, while I was aware of health issues, this is still quite a shock and devastating news.
Let's hope they keep the roof open this summer so Kato and Bobby can watch.
DH
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 4:31 pm
by Gridiron Ernie
What a back story regards Kato and the Leos -- the kind of history one loves to have and celebrate (a young kid on a bicycle et al). It so strongly lends to the notion of a "football family". No better example than he. It's heart-warming to see the flood of appreciation coming in from across the country, from all and sundry. Well deserved. The sidelines just won't look the same -- things won't look quite right without him there. Thank you good man, and RIP.
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 8:33 pm
by Robbie
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:21 pm
by David
I thought Global TV did a first-rate job in their Kato story, interviewing several former players (as well as colleague Billy Reichelt and Bomber Adam Bighill).
DH
Re: Ken Kasuya mourned
Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2019 1:00 pm
by WestCoastJoe
Kato getting ''choked'' by fun-loving mauler Rob Murphy. Ha ha Everyone loved Kato.
Global suggested that Nick Hebeler gave him the Kato name BUT Squire seemed to indicate there were other versions of that out there.
Kato himself says the name from is from the character on the Pink Panther, but this seems hard to believe as he was a bumbling fool and the name was spelled "Cato."
The Green Hornet's sidekick Kato (Bruce Lee) seems more in line with a nickname a player would bestow.
