Kazutami Ishikawa
Kazutami Ishikawa, 88, of New Haven, passed away on April 10, 2017 at the St. Raphael Campus of Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was born on May 15, 1928 in Orange, NJ, the eldest of 6 children born to Tamijiro and Constance Addison Ishikawa. He graduated from Hillhouse High School and served honorably in the US Army from 1946-1948 in the Aleutian Islands. He then attended the Cambridge School of Broadcasting in NYC. Kazutami joined the New Haven Police Dept. in 1953 as the first Japanese-American officer in the department, and was quickly dubbed 'Ish' by his fellow officers. He wore Badge #4 with great pride. Ish was eventually signed to the radio room and for 18 years his distinctive voice became known as 'The Voice of the New Haven Police Department' to everyone who had a police band radio. He retired in July 1990. He later worked as a transporter for Hertz. Kazutami is survived by his daughters Michelle, Cynthia, Linda, and Coralie Ishikawa, Mary Saucier(Roger), and Maureen Watson(Peter), and his sons Kenzo and David Ishikawa. He is also survived by his brother Tokutami Ishikawa(Carol) and his sister Kyoko 'Honey' Frazier(Garrison), past wife Ellen Scanlon, 9 grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his his first wife Francis Ishikawa, his children Doreen and Carl Ishikawa, siblings Mitzuki and Kikue Ishikawa, Renko Barnes, and one grandchild. Family and friends are invited to MEET DIRECTLY at the CT State Veterans' Cemetery office, 317 Bow Lane Middletown, CT at 10:45am on Monday April 17. A graveside service with full Military Honors will be held at 11am. Arrangements in care of BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, Hamden.
TO THE FAMILY OF ‘ISH’ , I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. ISH WAS A TRUE PROFESSIONAL AS A POLICE DISPATCHER. HE WAS A GREAT ONE. ISH WAS ALWAYS INTERESTING TO TALK TO , ALWAYS HAD A GREAT WAY ABOUT HIMSELF, A DISTINCTIVE LAUGH. SIR THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE WORKED WITH YOU.
GOD BLESS. REST IN PEACE.
J.D. SMITH
Ish, my mentor. I am so sad to learn about your passing. Rest in Peace Ish
I have only known Ish for the last year when visiting my Aunt at Meadow Mills in Hamden. He touched our life with his kind and gentle manner, and I will always remember his distinct voice that was a pleasure to listen to. He always joined our family when we brought in pizza, muffins, donuts, cookies, or my famous potato salad. His many stories about the police department made us laugh many times. We always felt safe just having Ish near. I am saddened by his passing but have wonderful memories that will live on in my heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Thanks Ish for spending time with us.