Minoru “Toby” Wakana

Wilder, Vt. — Minoru “Toby” Wakana, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, at Valley Terrace in Wilder, surrounded by his loving family. Toby was born on Aug. 10, 1925, in Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from Keio Medical School in Tokyo. In 1954 he came to the United States to further his medical training at Sydenham Hospital in New York City. In 1955 he married Mildred Flad. For the next 35 years he practiced pathology at Weeks Memorial Hospital in Lancaster, N.H., and then Cary Medical Center in Caribou, Maine.

Toby’s greatest joy was spending time with his family, skiing, canoeing the Allagash, traveling, golfing and doing other outdoor activities. He was a dedicated physician who loved his work.

His love of New England led to retirement in Hartland, Vt. He and Millie continued to enjoy outdoor activities. They also traveled to Japan where Toby did medical consulting for a hospital and Millie taught English.

Dr. Wakana is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mildred Flad Wakana; son, David Wakana and daughter-in-law, Diana Locke of Caribou; daughter, Janet St. Martin and fiance Douglas Moore of Lebanon, N.H.; three grandsons, Ben Wakana and wife, Katie Wakana of Washington, DC, Keegan Wakana of Madawaska Lake, Maine, and Tyler St. Martin of Lebanon.

The family would like to express their deeply felt gratitude to the staffs at Bayada Hospice and Valley Terrace, where Toby resided for the past 2 years. They gave him excellent care and showed him a great deal of love.

A celebration of life will be held on April 15, 2017 in Lebanon, at his daughter’s house. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Jefferson Cary Foundation in Caribou, or Bayada Hospice Care in Norwich, Vt. Ricker Funeral Homes & Crematory of Lebanon & Enfield assisted the family with arrangements.