CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Not even a terminal illness and doctor’s orders to stop driving could keep Yoshin Miyagi from coming to work every day.

He wanted to spend the last days of his 40 years at Stars and Stripes in the office — and co-workers would carry him on their backs from a car to have him there. He continued to come into the office until the end of August, when he was checked into the hospital. His family took him home Saturday.

Miyagi, of Futenma, died at his home Sunday from liver disease. He was 58.

Miyagi joined the Stripes team in 1966 straight out of high school and left as its Okinawa single copy sales manager. He made sure coin boxes and shopettes were supplied with papers, and also managed drivers who did the drop offs for those locations.

Co-workers described him as a consummate professional who always was willing to help somebody out by either doing the favor himself or finding someone who could.

Miyagi will be remembered for his loyalty, generosity and gracious attitude, they said.

He is survived by his mother, wife, three children and four grandchildren.

Migrated