Longtime B.C. Lions equipment manager Ken (Kato) Kasuya is being remembered as a tireless worker and valued friend.
The CFL team released a statement on Wednesday saying it was B次元官网网址渄eeply saddenedB次元官网网址� to report that Kasuya had died. The cause of the 53-year-oldB次元官网网址檚 death has not been disclosed.
READ MORE:
Kasuya spent more than four decades with the Lions, starting out as a volunteer water boy in his teens.
He was hired as an assistant equipment manager in 1984 and moved up to the equipment manager role a decade later.
Lions president Rick LeLacheur says in a statement that the organization is B次元官网网址渄evastatedB次元官网网址� by the loss of a treasured family member.
B次元官网网址淭asked with the incredible responsibility to ensure the health of our players, (Kasuya) did so with passion, joy and tireless effort,B次元官网网址� LeLacheur said. B次元官网网址淗e will forever be in the hearts of the legions of players and coaches who have passed through our locker room doors along with thousands in the football community across Canada.B次元官网网址�
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said KasuyaB次元官网网址檚 personality and presence were important not only to the Lions but the entire league.
B次元官网网址淗e is one of those rare individuals who came to the CFL as a boy and dedicated his entire working life to our athletes and our game. In the process, Kasuya became as synonymous with the Lions as any star player or legendary coach,B次元官网网址� Ambrosie said in a statement.
馃挃 Our hearts are broken.
B次元官网网址� BC LIONS (@BCLions)
We will miss you Kato.
Official Statement |
Mervyn Fernandez played for the Lions in the 1980s and 90s, and remembers Kasuya as simply B次元官网网址渁 fun guy.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淜ato was my equipment guy the whole time there, him and Eddie (Georgica) and Bill (former trainer Bill Reichelt). They took care of us, anything we needed they got it for us. ItB次元官网网址檚 sad to hear that heB次元官网网址檚 passed on,B次元官网网址� the former wide receiver said in Toronto on Wednesday.
Several other current and former players took to social media to mourn Kasuya.
B次元官网网址 of his passing was difficult to take, former Lions quarterback Travis Lulay said in a tweet.
B次元官网网址淜ato was special; funny, humble, caring. He was like a locker room counsellor B次元官网网址� the couch in his office has heard every story of triumph and heartbreak. He was a cherished friend. We loved you, Kato. Rest In peace,B次元官网网址� wrote Lulay, who retired in February after playing 10 seasons with the Lions.
Retired offensive lineman Andrew Jones played in B.C. twice and called Kasuya one of the best people he met during his time in the CFL.
B次元官网网址�(I) always found an excuse to go hang out in his office and joke around with him when I was with the @BCLions. #RIPKato you will be missed,B次元官网网址� Jones said in a tweet.
Edmonton Eskimos kicker Sean Whyte thanked Kasuya for B次元官网网址測ears of laughs.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 never considered you my equipment manager, I considered you a good friend. IB次元官网网址檒l miss your one liners and pre game handshake/hug,B次元官网网址� Whyte, who played for the Lions in 2009 and 2010, said in a tweet. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l never forget you Kato.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址� with files from Dan Ralph in Toronto
The Canadian Press
Like us on and follow us on
