01/23/2026
🎊 Happy 100th Birthday, Mino! 🎉 This month, our community had the honor of celebrating an extraordinary milestone: the 100th birthday of our remarkable resident, Minoru "Mino" Ohye. Born in Sacramento, California in 1926, Mino’s life story spans continents, conflicts, and a century of resilience that continues to inspire everyone who has the privilege of knowing him.
Mino’s early years were marked by profound change. After the tragic loss of his father at just three years old, Mino and his brother were sent to live with different family members in Japan. At only 13, Mino was drafted into the youth division of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Following Japan’s surrender, he endured unimaginable hardship in a Siberian prison camp, where he worked in a coal mine. In 1951, Mino returned to Northern California to reunite with his mother, and that same year, he answered another call to service, serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Decades later, in 2012, Mino reunited with his brother Hiroshi in Japan, seeing each other for the first time in nearly 60 years.
More than a decade ago, with the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mino found his home at Eskaton Wilson Manor. Today, he is known and loved for his positive outlook, joyful demeanor, and genuine kindness toward everyone around him. His 100th birthday was a true community celebration, shared with fellow residents, friends, the Arai family of Mikuni Japanese Restaurant, and members of the West Sacramento VFW.
When asked what he wished for on his 100th birthday, Mino hoped to receive 100 birthday cards. Thanks to the incredible generosity of AARP, ACC Senior Services, the Arai family, Saint Patrick’s Academy, the West Sac VFW, and so many others, Mino has received nearly 600 cards, each one a reminder of the lives he’s touched and the admiration he inspires.
Happy 100th Birthday, Mino! Your life is a testament to perseverance, service, and the enduring power of kindness. We are so grateful to celebrate this milestone with you. 🥳
Thank you to ABC10 and CBS13 CBS Sacramento for stopping by Mino's 100th birthday celebration and highlighting his remarkable life story.
ABC10:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iHJdV2sUgcM
CBS13:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MhFOYlcloGI