Thomas "Tobe" Kenji Hirose

It is with overwhelming sadness that the family of Thomas Kenji Hirose announces his passing at the General Campus of the Ottawa Hospital on June 9th, 2025, due to complications associated with a very rare form of sino-nasal cancer. His brothers Gerald (Janet), Randy (Lesley), Kenneth, and double first cousins, Geoffrey and Stan (Bette), will sorely miss Thomas (also known as Tobe to the family). He was a caring uncle (affectionately called “Uncle Zero”) to his nephews and nieces, Jason, Darren, Kimberly, Krista, Jennifer, Brent, Regan and Jane and was pre-deceased by his parents, Flo and Harold.

Thomas spent his childhood and young adulthood in Winnipeg and Western Canada where he received his graduate and postgraduate training at the Universities of Winnipeg and Alberta. He moved to Ottawa in 1981 where shortly afterwards, he founded Noetix Research, where he acted as CEO until his retirement circa 2015. The company made notable contribution in the area of remote sensing and associated imaging in a broad range of applications, including the movement of sea ice and agriculture. The Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers Inc. Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society recognized Thomas’s contribution through award for a notable publication.

Thomas travelled extensively professionally and personally and shared many common pastimes with friends and family, including travel, downhill and cross country skiing, hiking and bicycling. He was an avid jogger and gardener and following his retirement, spent more time at a property shared with Bette and Stan in Scottsdale, his cottage on Lac Earhart and Stan’s and Bette’s chalet in Mont Tremblant.

Thomas’ interface leaves an indelible mark on all that he touched both professionally and personally. His resolve in facing his illness was remarkable and we are so very grateful to the staff of the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, the 6th West Floor at the Ottawa General Hospital, Amica Westboro Park and Ontario Health Home Care who dedicated themselves to Tobe’s care during his illness.

Those touched by Thomas (Tom, Tobe) during his lifetime, while too numerous to mention here, are in our thoughts. We trust that in the coming days, you’ll take comfort in our shared journey with Thomas (including his lifelong friends in Winnipeg and his longtime neighbours and friends and extended families in Ottawa (Matsukubo, Omoto and Meek) and Winnipeg (Matsukubo and Yoshino) and elsewhere (Hayashi).