Eiko Nakamura Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Eiko Nakamura, beloved restaurateur, was tragically taken from this world on Saturday, May 31, 2014. She was born in Kumomoto, Japan, and moved to the U.S. in her 20s. Eiko was a much-loved community member who was very active in her restaurant for many years. Eiko loved to paint, spend time with her extended family and her dog, Fuku. Many people who dined at Fujiya would remember Eiko's hand-painted works of art hanging from the walls of the restaurant on display for all to enjoy. Eiko also loved her garden and loved spending time with her flowers and her fruit trees. Eiko was an animal lover and many people will remember her photos of her cats at her former restaurant, or her neighbors would remember her walking her dog around the neighborhood. Before moving to Napa and opening her restaurant in the Napa Premium Outlets, Eiko also worked as a hairdresser in Pacifica. She worked for many years at the Candelas restaurant within the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco. Eiko's love of cooking her family's Japanese recipes inspired her to open her own restaurant, and in 1987 Fujiya was opened. After 24 years at her establishment in the Napa Premium Outlets, Eiko partnered with brothers Rick and Mike Zaslove, who then moved her restaurant to downtown Napa, and the new establishment was named after Eiko. For over 25 years, Eiko's restaurants became her home and her family. You could see Eiko at her restaurant Fujiya six days per week, and after Eiko's Modern Japanese opened, she scaled her schedule down to only five days per week. Eiko's employees considered themselves a family as many of them have worked together for over 10 years. Eiko leaves behind her dearest friends, "Uncle" Bob and "Auntie" Pat Sutton; Maggie Winter; Dr. and Mrs. Lee, Grete Orsoe; the Zaslove family; and her dear friend, Jeanie. Eiko also leaves behind her family at Eiko's and her employees who consider themselves Eiko's extended family. Services for friends and family of Eiko will be held at St. Stephens Church (1250 Oakville Grade Road, Oakville) on Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m. A celebration of life ceremony will be held immediately following around 1:30 p.m. at Eiko's Modern Japanese Cuisine (1385 Napa Town Center, Napa). Any pictures or memories can be sent to allison@eikosnapa.com.

Tributes

Eiko Nakamura

September 17, 1935 - June 1, 2014