Antonovich Mourns Passing of Yoshinaga

Supervisor Mike Antonovich with George “Horse” Yoshinaga at Santa Anita Race Track.

Longtime Rafu Shimpo columnist George “Horse” Yoshinaga passed away on Aug. 17 at the age of 90.

“It’s the end of an era,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich. “For over 25 years, Horse’s intelligence, common sense and sharp wit made his regular ‘Horse’s Mouth’ column a dependable source of information and amusement for Rafu Shimpo readers.”

Yoshinaga started writing columns over 70 years ago while interned during World War II at Heart Mountain in Wyoming. He also served in the Army’s Military Intelligence Service. He was a regular contributor to Japanese American publications, including The Kashu Mainichi, for 40 years before his long career with Rafu Shimpo. He loved baseball, boxing, sumo wrestling, cigars, horses and Las Vegas.

“George was a personal friend to my wife Christine, my children Michael Jr. and Mary, and me,” Antonovich added. “We send our condolences and prayers to his wife, Susie Yoshiko, and his sons, Paul, Mark and Tim, as well as his two granddaughters and his grandson.”

The Board of Supervisors will adjourn its next regular meeting in Yoshinaga’s memory.