Tokue Suda

Love leaves a memory on our hearts that lives forever.

Obituary

Tokue Suda, known to many as "Sensei" was born on April 21, 1950, and passed away recently leaving behind a legacy that will remain etched in the history of judo. A man of honor, resilience, and unwavering determination, he has left an indelible mark on the judo community through his accomplishments and teachings.

The stalwart of judo was a proud achiever of the 7th degree black belt, a feat that speaks volumes of his dedication and commitment to the art form. His greatest legacy, however, lies in the establishment of the Abbotsford Judo Club which grew to be the largest dojo in BC. A nurturer at heart, he not only dedicated his life to the sport but also invested in the growth and development of the judo community in Abbotsford. This testament to his unfaltering spirit will continue to motivate and encourage generations to come.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judie, who has stood by him through every high and low, sharing in his journeys and dreams. Together they built a family and he was a guiding light to his children Ian (Yuko) and Kimi (Tyler) and 4 grandchildren (Kai, Aya, Reece and Maverick). He is also survived by his family in Tokyo, his brother Yasuo, sister Hiroko, and predeceased by his parents  Hiroshi and Kinko and sister Taeko. He will be deeply missed by all.

Above all, Tokue was a kind-hearted and gentle person whose life had a profound impact on those around him. His family, friends, and the extensive judo community here and in Tokyo will greatly miss him. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions in memory of Tokue toward the establishment of a memorial fund supporting the judo community. Contributions may be made by e-transfer to iansuda@gmail.com.

訃報

Timeline

1950

April 21^st

Tokue's Birth and Childhood

in Tokyo, Japan

1960

School Years

Trained for Judo in Senior High

Tokyo

1979

January 16^th

Wedding Bells

Tokue & Judie marry

in Tokyo Japan

1980

November

Tokue & Judie settle in Abbotsford BC

Tokue looked into beginning a judo club. He taught judo in rented spaces and in schools.
 In 1981 they moved into their first home.

1981

Abbotsford Judo Club Began

Picture of Tokue's Parents who helped finance the Abbotsford Judo Club..

1982

September 12^th

Birth of First Child

Ian Suda

Abbotsford BC

1984

December 8^th

Birth of Second Child

Kimiko Suda

Abbotsford BC

1990

Tokue's 40th Birthday!

The 1990's was a busy time of raising kids and working hard to expand the Abbotsford Judo Club.

2018

Community Hero Award

2021

Abbotsford Judo Club's 40th Anniversary

2023

Sensei Suda Retires

After 42 years of dedication to the Abbotsford Judo Club

2023

March

SportBC Presidents’ Award

2026

April 21^st

76th Birthday

Sensei Suda's courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease since 2020 

Good Samaritan Delta View Care Center

Gallery

Memory wall

September 26, 2026

Mr. Suda was a great man, a great sensei and a mentor to many without even realizing it. I will miss all the laughs we would have together, mostly looking at each other and laughing at Bruce's sometimes repetitive jokes. Every once in a while, Bruce would make a new joke, and Mr. Suda and I would look at each other and say "Oh! A new joke!"

We will miss you, Mr. Suda.

Aline and the Prince George Judo Club

Aline Strasdin

September 25, 2026

I started training at the Abbotsford Judo Centre when I was about six or seven. Sensei Suda was always a gentle and warm presence, and I loved it when he was the one to teach our classes. I remember practicing with Sensei Suda, and I was so little that he would sometimes pick me up off the ground to sweep my feet out from under me, and then would place me back on the mat with a small smile on his face. He was a wonderfully kind and patient teacher, and the world is better for having had him in it.

Joddi Alden

September 24, 2026

It is with great sadness and grief that I heard of my friend Tokue Suda’s passing. I got to know Tokue when he started the Hajime Judo Club in Cloverdale and I followed
him to the Abbotsford Judo Club. I had just returned from Japan and was impressed with Tokue’s teaching methods and his patience with the young students. He was of great help and guidance to me when I was going through some difficult and personal problems. I will always appreciate and remember Tokue Suda for his kindness and great teaching abilities.

Olaf Vinje

Olaf Vinje

September 20, 2026

I knew Tokue for many years as he developed the Abbotsford Judo Club, built the Dojo and coached hundreds, possibly thousands of children and adults. He was always a kind and gentle person in all his dealings with us at Parks and Recreation but there was no doubt about the depth of his passion for Judo. He would and could move mountains on behalf of his club members. He grew the club from an idea to the amazing facility and program it is today. As with so many others I will always remember his warm grin and those twinkling eyes. He was a very unique individual and we were lucky to have him in our community. My sincerest condolences to Judie and their family.

Betty Johnston

September 19, 2026

Sending my condolences to the Suda family in these hard times. Mr Suda and I go back a long ways. My dad would let him use school gyms in the early days for him to teach judo but he knew the club needed a permanent building. His dream came true with help from the city of Abbotsford when they donated the land. Mr Suda ended up being the main contractor. This dream and his hard work turned the club into what it is today. Rest in peace. Brian Ayling

Brian Ayling

September 18, 2026

Rest in peace Sensei. I always appreciated that you took the time to say hello and have a quick chat with some laughs during busy shiais. You made visiting Abbotsford Judo Club feel like stepping into a home

Riley Maruyama

September 17, 2026

I started training judo at a very small dojo where our instructors didn’t come with my brother Quinn and I to tournaments. At a competition, Sensei Suda saw us warming up with our dad and overheard our nervousness. He brought us over to warm up with the whole Abbotsford judo team and let us join them over the next few competitions. He even stood in our corner for every match, despite not being students.

We ended up making the drive to train at Abbotsford Judo with him for many years.

Keenan Beavis

September 17, 2026

I think I might have met Tokue Suda when I was in elementary school in the 1990s. I remember that there was a judo instructor there once. He shall be missed.

Evan

September 17, 2026

I first met Suda Sensei when I went with my mom to watch my brothers' judo class at the Hajime Judo Club in Cloverdale, the sister club to Abbotsford from the early 90s. I remember being mad that I couldn't practice too, being so young, so he taught me ukemi after class. I had a blast.

When I was old enough to start, Suda Sensei was always there to guide us to be better judoka and better people. There were 4 of us Holman kids and he took care of us all with such kindness. My mom would show her appreciation by always bringing him an obento at tournaments. He would often come up in a cheeky way saying "Kiyomi, where is my lunch??".

My favourite memory is when we were late for class because of dinner, and he asked what we were having anyway to make us late. When I said "Sukiyaki!" he went from annoyed to excited and said "SUKIYAKI?!?! SUKIYAKIII!!!" then proceeded to chat with me about sukiyaki the whole class. There's something special about trying not to be choked out in newaza randori, with Sensei kneeling next to you waxing poetic about why he loves sukiyaki, then being told to focus more on judo if you responded. It always makes me laugh.

When Hajime closed, we merged with the Langley Judo Club, and Sensei kept coming the first few weeks to make sure we were being well taken care of and would always check in at tournaments. 20+ years later, returning to judo, I have had the great fortune to befriend some Abbotsford transplants here in Victoria and we had been fondly recalling our experiences with him and the bonds he helped create.

Sensei's gentleness, patience, kindness, and leadership are truly legendary, and he will be sorely missed. On behalf of the Holman family, our most heartfelt condolences to the Suda family, friends, and those whose lives he touched and made better by simply being him.

先生、本当にありがとうございました。

Kiyomi Holman

September 17, 2026

I first met Tokue in the summer of 1990 at the golf driving range I was working at. I had talked to his protege, Kame, about moving to Japan and studying Japanese. After our initial meeting where he asked me if I was serious about moving to Japan, exactly a week later he came back with a list of things he had set up for me to start “next week”. They were; a Japanese family to stay with, a school to study Japanese at, a job, a contact who spoke english to help me out, and another host family I could stay at if the first one didn’t work out. I was flabbergasted! What an incredible man, and what an incredible thing to do for someone who he had just met! I took him up on the offer and spent 27 incredible years in Tokyo. I am eternally grateful for my friendship with both Tokue and Judie. I will miss him dearly!

Todd Baker

September 16, 2026

We were so blessed to have Suda sensei willing to accommodate our aikido classes at his dojo. He would always ask how the club was doing and encouraged us to continue with our practice.
All of the aikido senseis that he knew from back east would always ask about him and held him in high regard.
Suda sensei will always have a place in my thoughts and heart.

Steve Watson

September 16, 2026

Very special time of my life, so greatful for Tokue for starting the judo club

Topanga Klassen

September 16, 2026

I was from a smaller judo club that only ran from Sept-May, when summer came we would continue training in Abbotsford to prepare for nationals. I was very nervous walking into a new dojo, but Mr. Suda created such a welcoming atmosphere. He looked after us, and always made sure we were comfortable. I will always remember looking for him at tournaments to catch up and seeing that trademark smirk he always had across his face. Thank you for all your contributions to the sport.

Condolences to the Suda family as well as the Abbotsford Judo Club.

Rest easy Sensei.

Dustin Fletcher

September 15, 2026

I will be forever grateful to Sensei Suda for building the Abbotsford Judo Club and being such a warm and steady presence there.

Derek W

September 15, 2026

My sorrow from Suda's passing is lifted when I think of all the love, wisdom and warmth he provided to my sons and so many others... He was a brave and adventurous man to make the journey from Sumida to Canada, and Abbotsford is blessed he chose here to establish his permanent dojo. Our community has been immeasurably enriched, and his legacy will endure and grow. My condolences to the Suda family. Rest in peace Suda-sensei.

Morgan Andreassen

September 15, 2026

Sensei Suda was an excellent teacher and very forgiving of my general clumsiness. Always had a kind word to say. He will be missed.

Mike Klassen

September 15, 2026

So blessed to have a martial arts foundation built by Mr. Suda. A true legend and my first teacher. Rest easy ❤️🕊️

Kam Lillian

September 15, 2026

In 2019, Sensei Suda took my husband and I under his wing, urging us to follow our dreams and open our own dojo. He spent hours advising us, then donated a full dojo’s worth of tatami to us, to give us a head start. This year, our dojo celebrated its 5-year anniversary. It wouldn’t have been possible without him.

Thank you, Sensei Suda.

Ashley Nobeashi

September 15, 2026

I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Sensei Suda. I had the privilege of training with him for two years during my time in Abbotsford, and I will always remember how welcoming and generous he was. His kindness made a real difference during my stay in BC, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from him.

My sincere condolences to all of the Suda family. I hope that the many people whose lives he touched, both on and off the tatami, can bring you some comfort during this difficult time.

With my deepest sympathy,

Simon

Simon Dufour

September 15, 2026

Sensei Suda lived on Prince Edward Island for a winter, i think this is why he went to BC, he was a wonderful Sensei to us all on PEI and over the years seen us at many compititons, we pass our Condolences to his family and friends from all who knew him on PEI. Rest Easy

Sandra MacDonald

September 15, 2026

On Behalf of the Abbotsford Judo Club, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Suda Family and anyone who's life was touched by this truly special man. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had Mr. Suda in my as my Sensei, coach, mentor and friend and will ensure that his legacy lives on here at the Abbotsford Judo Club.

Rest in peace Sensei
You will never be forgotten.

-Layton

Layton Keely

September 15, 2026

As an immigrant in '99 Mr. Suda welcomed me in the dojo with open arms. His warmth and happy disposition made those hard times so much easier to face. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Uran Shushka

September 15, 2026

Sometime in the 1990's I got a gold medal at the BC Winter Games. After the next practice Mr.Suda told me it was good I had won by Ippon, and he handed me an Orange belt. I was(and still am) very proud of that moment. Thank you Mr. Suda.

William Matthews

September 14, 2026

My deepest condolences to the Suda family on behalf of my family and my grandfather, Mr. Suda’s sensei.

Mr. Suda made me fall in love with Canada and brought me to the wonderful Abbotsford Judo Club. He also took such wonderful care of my grandfather during his visits to Canada, which we will never forget.

The amazing relationship between Japan and Canada, built around my grandfather and Mr. Suda, is a true legacy. I will do my best to carry it forward and keep this bond strong.

Rest in peace, Mr. Suda.

Kōki Arai

September 14, 2026

On behalf of the Button family I would like to pass on our condolences to the entire Suda family. Tokue was indeed such an incredible individual in so many ways. As a fellow son-in-law to the Moore family o always appreciated his supreme support to the family and his ongoing camaraderie. His success in Judo and that of both Kimi and Ian in their Judo careers was a family legacy for sure. He will be missed by all, but never forgotten! love to all from the Button’s ❤️

Dave Button

September 14, 2026

On behalf of the Suda family I would like to express our sincere appreciation to family, friends and the judo community here and in Japan for your ongoing support, love and kind comforting words during our loss. Thank you for posting pictures and special memories to this wall that will live forever in all our hearts.

Judie Suda

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