* Hiroshi Nishimura; Retired Produce Manager

Hiroshi Nishimura, a retired produce manager at Noren’s Market, died Jan. 15. He was 74.

Nishimura was born Oct. 10, 1925, in Los Angeles and grew up in Glendale and El Monte.

During World War II, he was sent to an internment camp in Heart Mountain, Wyo., where he graduated from high school. Nishimura was drafted into the Army and sent to the European theater aboard the Queen Mary on its final troop transport.

He returned to Long Beach after his discharge in October 1946.

In 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Yamamoto of Redmond, Wash. He was then a partner in a grocery store in Hollywood, and he remained there until 1965, when the store was taken by eminent domain.

Nishimura loved deep sea and surf fishing and decided to move his family to Ventura. Later in 1965, he became produce manager at Noren’s Market on Telegraph Road where he remained until forced to take early retirement in 1984 because of myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease.

However, he was able to enjoy an active but limited lifestyle and never complained about his physical limitations, family members said.

He loved listening to Frank Sinatra and nurturing his garden and occasionally played golf with his friends. His health began to fail in fall 1998.

In addition to Helen, his wife of 49 years, Nishimura is survived by two sons, Steven of Exeter, N.H., and Russell of Agoura Hills; a brother, George, of Los Angeles; three sisters, Setsuko Murakami and Emiko Ide of Los Angeles and Shigeko Yoritsune of San Jose; and three grandchildren.

A celebration of his life is scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Hyatt Hotel, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village.