Paul Motoyoshi served up warm smiles and delicious food at the Vashon Farmers Market. (photo: Ralph Moore)
Paul Motoyoshi, longtime Vashon resident, VIGA member and friend, passed away on January 17, 2012. He will be sorely missed, and our hearts and sympathies are with Paul’s family and friends. We wanted to share some fond remembrances of Paul. If you’d like to share a story or kind word about about Paul, we invite you to leave a comment about this special man, and our cherished friend.
“… I was crestfallen to learn of the passage of our member and strong friend of VIGA Paul Motoyoshi. Paul was a fixture of the market for many years, and one of the most welcoming and kind individuals I have encountered. While he left the island and the Market to go traveling last year it is sad to learn that he won’t be coming back. I first met Paul at the Market and last saw him there as well – he loved it good days and bad. He frequently donated his time and his skills to this organization and we should remember him well for his contributions.“ –Ryan
“My goodness; we are currently under contract to purchase Paul’s old home. We wondered about its history and its owner…the place is so very peaceful. One can tell a beautiful soul lived there and cared for the land. He is on our hearts and in our prayers.” –Lauren
“So saddened by the news of Paul’s passing. So many times his wonderful curry saved me from freezing to death at the market. Such a sweet and gentle man.” –Sherri
“When Paul told me he was moving away to travel, I felt this big loss burbling up, and yet joy that he was ready to get up and go. His constant presence at the market, the mouth-watering smells of his miso wafting through the Green on cold mornings, his constant smile … oh my, I hope his last days were sweet ones. So sad to learn he has gone.” –Janie
“I remember the first year Paul and his ex-wife Rica sold at the farmers market. They showed up one day in 2005 with some ginger plants and other interesting green things they were growing. Rica had some very creative crafts. They asked if they could set up and were so pleased to discover that people would buy what they brought. It was a week to week venture for them as they gradually realized that shoppers enjoyed them being there and I saw the shyness start to vanish as they realized they were becoming part of the market community.
No one realized that was the beginning of a wonderful, evolving relationship for all of us with Paul as we got to see his creative talents unfold year after year. I want to think that he is out there in the universe creating even more amazing stories than the ones he lived in this world.” –Karen
“I also will miss Paul, his incredibly inventive and creative personality. It was absolutely amazing to watch him create food at his table with all kinds of improvised utensils and cooking gear. That was the initial fun, watching him create unique and unusual foods, then to be handed, with his glorious smile, a dish of unbelievable flavors. My favorite was the deep fried green pepper stuffed with cheese, served hot and sloppy. I saved myself for that and his green tea latte, whipped into a froth with his little electric wisk.” –Ron
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I met Paul in Playa del Carmen, and we became very good friends, we used to exchange emails, but suddenly he did not answer, now I know he passed away, he was a very good man, I miss him.