Kuni Nakamura died peacefully on October 15, 2023, surrounded by family at his home in Rye, N.Y., following a short battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was 55.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, he was 2 when his family moved to New York. He grew up in Eastchester.
After graduating from Fordham Prep in 1986, he went on to earn a degree from the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania in 1990. He joined his father’s company, Advanced Polymer, Inc., later becoming sole owner and chief executive officer.
In October 1997, he married Eileen Cheigh, and they raised their three children in Rye.
A beloved father, son, and husband, and loyal friend, he will be remembered for his joyful “carpe diem” approach to life, entrepreneurial spirit, steadfast ability to get things done, and generosity and willingness to always help others.
He loved spending time in the outdoors, walking with his dogs every morning, gardening, fishing, boating, and clamming during warmer months, as well as skiing. He also enjoyed driving his cars, collecting fossils and nautical antiques, and watching birds by the creek. A perfect day for him would include a meal with friends, drinking wine, and eating foods that he either grew or caught.
A dedicated volunteer, he served most recently as a board member of Fordham Prep and Long Island University, and devoted time to dog-related causes and environmental conservation organizations.
In addition to his wife Eileen and children, Kenneth, Edward, and Kaylie, Mr. Nakamura is survived by his mother Chiyoko, his sister Kayoko, his nephew Shu, and his dogs, Bentley, Charlie, Rusty, and Sammy. His father Toshio predeceased him.
The family is planning a celebration of life in the coming weeks. Donations in his memory may be made to a scholarship fund at Fordham Prep (In memory of Kuni Nakamura ’86 — Fordham Preparatory School), or to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for patient financial assistance (http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/KuniNakamura).
