Leslie M. Fugikawa

Leslie Mamoru Fugikawa, 81, of Greenhills, Ohio, passed away on January 25, 2026.

Les was born on September 9, 1944 to Tamotsu George Fugikawa and Toshiko Mary Fugikawa in Fayetteville, Ohio and grew up in St. Bernard working at the family fruit market. After graduating from Roger Bacon High School in 1962, Les went on to study at the Ohio Mechanic’s Institute, later the College of Applied Science of the University of Cincinnati, before serving in the U.S. Army from 1966–68. His career as a machinist and draftsman led to numerous innovations and patents for the production of industrial and surgical devices.

In 1969, Les married Carolyn Sue (Groh) Fugikawa, and together they raised their three children. His life was marked by a deep sense of honor to uphold not only those commitments he made as a husband and father but those also in his professional life, his volunteering as a baseball and soccer coach or parish bingo caller, and his service as Grand Knight of his Knights of Columbus Council. In his latter years, Les developed a particular devotion to the Rosary. May Mother Mary’s intercession be for him now as at the hour of his death.

Les was preceded in death by his beloved parents and sister Elizabeth Koenig. He is survived by his wife Sue; children, Kevin Fugikawa, Janet (Aaron) Fritsch, and Jason Fugikawa; 15 grandchildren, Carlito, Arabela, Serenity, Lily, Cyrus, Gideon, Logan, Eric, Owen, Kyle, Francis, Isaac, Edmund, Peter, and Henry; siblings Jane Sugawara, Edward (Gretchen) Fugikawa, and Diane Williams; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at St. Clement Catholic Church, 4536 Vine St., Cincinnati on Friday, January 30. Visitation at 9:00am. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am. Burial at Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum thereafter. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in his memory.