A “kind and generous” antique dealer who was a familiar face in his hometown has been fondly remembered after dying suddenly.
Jun Sakura fell in love with Ramsgate decades ago before deciding to lay down his roots and establish TJ’s Treasures in 2014.
“Kind and generous” Jun Sakura has died aged 75
But the 75-year-old sadly died recently following a short illness, prompting an outpouring of heartfelt messages.
Mr Sakura lived in the town with partner Ian Dawbarn, and their fluffy white dog named Jai.
Despite being born in Japan to a restaurant-owning family, he called Thanet his home, having lived in Ramsgate for more than 30 years.
After graduating with a business degree in Japan, he travelled around Europe, eventually coming to England more than 50 years ago.
He studied at an art college in Chelsea where he showed great talent before working in various restaurants in London.
Jun Sakura owned TJ’s Treasures in Ramsgate
Mr Sakura then became a sales executive with a food import company, Tazaki Foods, where he remained for more than twenty years.
During this time, he moved to Ramsgate with his first partner Tony and stoically endured the daily drive to London and back.
Mr Dawbarn says Mr Sakura instantly fell in love with the town and quickly made friends there.
When he retired from the company he realised a long-held dream to establish an antiques and collectables business, having learned a lot about the trade from Tony, who had sadly died.
In September 2014, he opened TJ’s Treasures, an antique emporium in King Street named after his Yorkshire Terrier at the time who sat with him in the shop.
TJ’s Treasures was named after Mr Sakura’s Yorkshire Terrier. Picture: Ian DawbarnTJ’s Treasures sold a variety of antiques and collectables. Picture: Ian Dawbarn
When the pandemic hit in 2020, and business uncertainty plagued the country, Jun decided not to renew his lease and retired for good.
He could then fully immerse in retirement and enjoy what Ramsgate had to offer, with clifftop walks with Ian and Jai, meeting up with friends, and enjoying beachside lunches.
Unfortunately, his enjoyment of retirement was cut short when he died in November aged 75 of multiple organ failure after a short illness.
He leaves behind his partner Ian, his sister and family in Japan.
His funeral was held at Thanet Crematorium in Margate on January 8.
Jun Sakura opened TJ’s Treasures in King Street, Ramsgate in September 2014. Picture: Ian Dawbarn
Mr Dawbarn described his partner as a “kind, generous and loving man who will be greatly missed” by everyone in Ramsgate.
He was a familiar face on Friday nights at The Golden Fish Bar in Hereson Road.
Bosses from the fish and chip shop have also paid tribute to Mr Sakura saying he was “such a friendly soul, a true gent”.