Video Transcription
Juro ‘Deo’ Suzuki was born in Sunbury, British Columbia in 1922. While living in British Columbia, the Japanese Imperial Army attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. The large Japanese-Canadian population on Canada’s West Coast was deemed a threat to national security. A very dark period in Canadian history.
Deo and his family were forcibly removed from their community and sent to the Ontario Farm Service Force camp at the Dresden Fairgrounds. When the need for Japanese interpreters arose during World War II, Deo joined the Canadian Army and served with the Intelligence Corps in India.
Following his time in the military, Deo returned to southern Ontario and settled in the town of Florence in Lambton County. He found work at the general store and post office. During his time in Florence, he endeared himself to the community through his kindness and generosity. Deo was a volunteer with St. John’s Ambulance, the Boy Scouts, the Florence Community Center, and local church youth groups. He was a generous supporter of both Florence churches. Deo also maintained numerous community gardens, looked after the Cenotaph, and assisted elderly members of the community.
For his generous community service, Deo was awarded the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship in 1980. He received the award from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Pauline McGibbon… also from Lambton County!
He served as the Florence Postmaster from 1975-1908, when his deteriorating health led to an early retirement. Deo passed away in 1997.
We celebrate the life of Deo Suzuki… soldier, postmaster, Good Citizenship award winner, and a proud Lambtonite!
Additional Information
Juro (Deo) Suzuki was born to Gennosuki and his wife Isono on December 5, 1922 in British Columbia. Deo’s father came from Hashihama Japan on the Suian Maru in October 1906, with Isono arriving later in 1911. Gennosuki was a Salmon fisherman and they settled in New Westminster where they lived on River road, which runs adjacent to the Fraser River.
When the need arose for Japanese interpreters, he was allowed to join the Canadian Army in that capacity. He served in India and was later discharged on 10 April, 1945.
Deo lived out the remainder of his life in the small community of Florence, located in Dawn- Euphemia Township. He spent many years working at the post office and also at Lindsay’s Restaurant.
Deo passed away in 1997 and is buried in St. Matthew’s Anglican Church Cemetery in Florence.
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