BCLions.com
VANCOUVER — The Canadian Football League and the BC Lions Football Club are mourning the passing of equipment manager Ken ‘Kato’ Kasuya.
“We are devastated as an organization today,” said Lions’ president Rick LeLacheur. “From the day he rode his bike to Empire Stadium as a teenager more than 40 years ago to volunteer as a water boy, Kato endeared himself to generations of Lions players and staff members. He was a treasured part of our family, loved dearly by anyone who came to know him. Tasked with the incredible responsibility to ensure the health of our players, he did so with passion, joy and tireless effort. He will forever by 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.”
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie also issued a statement offering his condolences on Wednesday:
“The entire Canadian Football League family is deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of Ken Kasuya. Better known to four decades’ worth of CFL players as ‘Kato’, he did his job as the BC Lions equipment manager with professionalism, passion and a work ethic that was tireless and selfless. And yet, over the years, his personality and presence became just as important to his team and our league as the crucial role he played. He 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, Mr. Kasuya became as synonymous with the Lions as any star player or legendary coach. He will be deeply missed. Our sympathies are with his family, his friends and his many teammates, past and present.”
