Yoshitaka "Ken" Sawada, 74 of Liverpool, passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Ken was born in Shimonoseki, Japan. In 1972, he ventured to the United States training as a hibachi chef at Benihana in Las Vegas, New York City, and Fort Lauderdale before joining his sister and brother-in-law in Liverpool.  In 1975, Ken brought his wife, Nagie to the US and they settled and raised their son in Liverpool, continuing to reside there ever since. Mr. Sawada was the dedicated and devoted head chef and kitchen manager for nearly 40 years at Ichiban Japanese Steak House, mentoring the many young hibachi and sushi chefs who passed through their doors. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, passing that passion for the team and the city onto his son.  Ken enjoyed golfing, yoga, outings with his neighbor Bob Lim, pasta with white clam sauce, and sudoku.  He could often be seen wearing his Syracuse University gear on his daily walk at Onondaga Lake Park, carrying on his wife's love of nature and the water.  His grandchildren were his joy and "Jiichan" especially enjoyed taking them on their first trip to Japan in 2018 to share their culture with them.

Ken is predeceased by his loving and loyal wife of 36 years, Nagie (Uriu) Sawada (d. April 2012) with whom he had shared a union since grade school in Japan.  He is survived by a son, Ken (Maggie) Sawada of Boston, MA, two grandchildren, Keenan and Sadie Sawada, his family from Japan and the US; Machiko (Satoru) Matuo, Chiyeko (Rick) Ogata, Koji Uriu, Miharu Kawanami, several nieces and nephews, and his dear friend, Hiroko Maruki.

The family honored his life privately.  Please consider planting a tree in memory of Yoshitaka "Ken" Sawada on the Maurer Funeral Home, Inc. website Sympathy Store and signing the funeral home on-line guest book to express your condolences to his family.