Jenji Konishi

The beauty of the trees

The softness of the air

The fragrance of the grass, speaks to me

And my heart soars

Chief Dan George

Jenji Konishi of North Saanich, BC, passed away on October 12th, 2025 in Saanich Peninsula Hospital, with his daughter Sandi at his side. Throughout his journey with Alzheimer’s, he maintained his sense of humour and appreciation for the natural world, along with the twinkle in his eye. With the loving care of his wife, Joanne, he was able to enjoy the familiar comforts of home, the antics of their three cats, and his favourite meals until his brief stay in hospital before his death.

Jenji was born August 9th, 1937 on Mayne Island, BC, the youngest of four siblings. His parents, Chiyoko and Kumajiro, had been successful in the production of hothouse tomatoes on the island when all families of Japanese descent were forcibly relocated and dispossessed of their homes, land, and belongings during WWII. In 1943, after spending time in Turtle Valley, Jenji’s family settled in Tappen on a small farm near the shores of Shuswap Lake.

When they weren’t attending school in Salmon Arm, Jenji and his siblings could be found helping in the greenhouses, taking treks to the lake for swimming and fishing with one bicycle between them, climbing trees, and exploring the woods in Tappen. After receiving his BScF from UBC in 1961, new adventures in forestry began. While stationed at camps along the Skeena River, Jenji used photographs taken aboard helicopters to identify timber stands and complete forest inventory near Kitwanga.

While working in Prince George, Jenji met Doreen, a nurse, and together they enjoyed many outdoor adventures. After marrying in 1965, they welcomed the births of Sandi and Jason before moving to Duncan on Vancouver Island in 1969. Jenji served as Liaison Forester at the Duncan Tree Seed Centre, supervising and coordinating seed and nursery activities, and contributing operational expertise to provincial seed programs.

Jenji and the family relocated to Brentwood Bay in the mid 1970s as his work with the BC government presented further leadership roles. As manager of seed production for the Ministry of Forests’ Reforestation Division, Jenji was instrumental in developing BC’s tree improvement program and setting standards for tree seed used for reforestation. He also championed and oversaw the construction of a new provincial tree seed centre in Surrey, which was completed in 1986.

Family time during the Brentwood Bay years was highlighted by boating excursions from Sidney to Sooke and beyond. Jenji taught Sandi and Jason to water-ski behind their 14-foot Starcraft in Coles Bay one summer, and they would often ski behind the boat from one fishing spot to the next. Summers were spent on Saratoga Beach, and winters were enjoyed skiing and skating at Lac Le Jeune and Mt. Washington. A family road trip wouldn’t be complete without Jenji abruptly pulling over and jumping out of the car to look up at the trees, exclaiming, “Check out the cone crop!” Jenji was always active. He played competitive badminton, was a recreational curler, a skilled fisherman, and an excellent golfer into his 80s.

Jenji loved to work with his hands and was always building or carving with wood. His workshop would fill with the scent of yellow cedar as he carved orca and salmon, inspired by Coast Salish designs. His many carvings adorn the homes of colleagues and friends. Jenji made sushi, inari, and tempura with flair, built his own smokehouse for the salmon he caught, and grew a bounty of vegetables and fruit.

After Dori’s passing, Jenji retired and was introduced by mutual friends to Joanne. They married, and for 30 years enjoyed time together building a home, pursuing hobbies, attending concerts and social events, and travelling, eventually settling in North Saanich. They enjoyed frequent trips to see friends in Vancouver, and to Kamloops for visits with brother Fiko and his partner Shirley, and sister Haddie and her husband Yosh, and sister Sets and her husband Bud. Jenji and Joanne’s home warmly hosted many gatherings of family, friends, and neighbours, along with frequent visits by their beloved great-grandchildren.

Post retirement, Jenji was honoured for his significant and enduring contributions to “Excellence in Cone and Seed Services” at the Tree Seed Centre’s 50th anniversary. Jenji is remembered with respect by his colleagues as a collaborative, measured and dedicated public servant and professional forester.

Jenji lived a life of balance and generosity, strength and resilience, humility and grace. Like the trees he tended he stood tall, weathered life’s storms, guided and sheltered those he loved, and honoured his roots. Those who knew Jenji grew from his gifts of wisdom and kindness.

Jenji is survived by his wife Joanne, and his children: daughter Sandi (Scott) and grandchildren Erik and Claire, son Jason (Donna) and grandchildren Asia and Caitlin, stepson Chris, stepdaughter Josie (Martin) and their son Billy and his children Tala, Stanley and Jennifer, son Jonathan (Molly), and daughter Wendy-Anne (Cory) and their son Bowen. Also remembering Jenji are nephews Don Yoshida and daughter Shena, Ken and Gary (Suzanne) Yoshida, and niece Laura Iwasaki (Jeff). In Ontario are his sister-in-law Jo (Jon), nieces Alison and Lindsey and nephews Scott and Adam, sister-in-law Liana and niece Terry, and nephews Greg and Brad, and brother-in-law Peter (Dorothy), along with many extended family and dear, lifelong friends.

Jenji’s family held a private gathering on October 23rd, 2025. Remember Jenji when you look up at the trees, and if you’re inclined, a donation to the Mount Newton Centre Society, a local hospice, or a cat rescue society would be a gesture he’d appreciate in lieu of flowers.