MASACHIKA 'MARK' IUCHI / BROADCAST MEDIA

Sony stalwart made
Aloha Stadium
larger than life

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By Lisa Asato
lasato@starbulletin.com

Masachika "Mark" Iuchi, who was instrumental in bringing Hawaii sports fans the Sony Jumbotron at Aloha Stadium, died Friday in San Francisco. He was 56.

Born and raised in Tokushima, Japan, Iuchi came to Hawaii to start a family in 1970. He attended Electronics Institute in Honolulu and was hired as a 28-year-old service technician by Sony Hawaii Co. in 1973, said Vice President Karl Okemura.

Over the years, Iuchi held various positions, ranging from service manager to his most recent promotion last April to director of the Broadcast and Professional Products Group.

Okemura said Iuchi had "an excellent reputation among broadcast media," helping TV and video production houses maintain and set up equipment.

Previously, as the sales manager for the broadcast group, Iuchi helped bring the Sony Jumbotron to Aloha Stadium and the Sony multiscreen scoreboard to Stan Sheriff Center, Okemura said.

A Sony spokesman said Iuchi died at the home of his daughter, Mia, in San Francisco. He had been visiting his two children and undergoing treatment for lung cancer, the spokesman said.

"He was really devoted to Sony," Okemura said. "He could've taken early retirement or leave of absence, but he chose to stay with Sony Hawaii even though he was ill already."

Okemura said Iuchi learned he had cancer in June. He described Iuchi as "very kind and thoughtful with a great sense of humor.

"All of the people here were not only his colleagues, but his friends," he said. "We already miss him."

Iuchi is survived by his mother, Harue Iuchi; brothers Taro and Shoji Iuchi; sisters Kiyoko Komatsu, Michio Minamigaki and Tsunemi Ezaki; and two children, Mia and Michael Iuchi.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Waikiki Yacht Club.