Mr. Peter Yakimak, age 91, a resident of Isabella Retirement Living,Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital after a short illness.
Peter was born and raised in Mountain Road, Manitoba. As a young man, he served his country during the Second World War for 3½ years. Upon his discharge, he met Stella Slone and they were married on August 11, 1946. Together they settled in Fort William and lived there since.
Peter was employed at Great Lakes Paper, several construction companies and finally Sears where he worked until his retirement. Peter was a longtime member of the Church of the Holy Cross and St. George’s Society.
He was a past president of the Westfort Prosvita Society and a member of Branch 6 Legion. His leisure time took him camping at Graham, where a highlight was the annual bowling league fish derby. As an avid golfer, Peter spent many summer days here and winter days at his Arizona home playing the fairways. His eyesight got in the way later in life, but he still enjoyed keeping track of both the local and pro players on tv.
As an accomplished carpenter and cabinet maker, he left his mark on many family and friends` homes.
This also included several homes he built in the Fort William/Westfort area. Sometimes Peter was called the “Mayor of Westfort” by his many friends Since moving into Isabella Place he enjoyed the company of his many friends and his card playing partners. Dad’s great joy was his family and holding his great grandchildren as well as his Prosvita, DaVinci and McDonald’s buddies.
Peter is survived by his children Joyce (Melvin) Gammond, Thunder Bay, Richard (Barbara) of St. Albert, Alberta, Terance (Leanne), Thunder Bay, grandsons Peter Gammond, Thomas, Andrew and Christopher Yakimak, great grandchildren Abbigail and Brady Yakimak. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
He was predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Eustina, his wife Stella, grandson Michael Yakimak, sister Mary and brother William.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2015 when family and friends will gather at the Church of the Holy Cross, 415 W. Victoria Avenue at 10:00 am, celebrated by Rev. Yuriy Tykhyy. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Panachyda will be offered on Monday evening, at 7:00 pm in the Church of the Holy Cross. If friends so desire, memorials to the Holy Cross Church Memorial Fund or the charity of your choice, would be appreciated.
Peter Yakimak will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016.
