Obituary
Obituary of Mike Yakabowich
Peacefully, on October 22, 2007, Mike Yakabowich passed away at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook, British Columbia. He leaves to celebrate his life, his son Rick (wife, Andrea) of San Juan, Puerto Rico; son Jay (children Dylan and Jasmine) of Ottawa, Ontario; daughter Suzanne Thompson (husband David and children Sean and Kelsey) of Cranbrook, British Columbia; son Tim of Shilo, Manitoba. He also leaves his brother Nick of Comox, British Columbia; sisters Anne Halarewich of Yorkton, Saskatchewan; Nettie Barney of Courtney, British Columbia; sister-in-law Joyce Goodall of New Westminster, British Columbia; as well as many nieces, nephews and beloved friends. He was predeceased by his wife Verna (Burkard); parents John and Katherine (Fil); brothers Metro, Alex, Steve, Bill; sisters Eva (Fedoruk), Mary (Tuharsky), and an infant brother and sister. Mike was born on November 10, 1924, on the Yakabowich family farm near Fonehill, Saskatchewan. He was raised in a small 5 room home and attended the nearby school until grade 8. Mike had said that his father had wanted him to serve in the Ukrainian Catholic Church and become a priest. Mike decided instead to move to Geraldton, Ontario to play junior hockey with the Geraldton Goldminers, and to work in security at the local goldmine. At the young age of 17, Mike enlisted as an "18" year old in the Canadian Armed Forces. Basic training in Shilo, Manitoba, revealed that he was a fast runner (4.08/mile!) - so instead of paratroopers, he was placed in the infantry. After completing his basic training, he went to Halifax and then England to serve with the Canada's Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. Mike loved to tell the story of how his sergeant, after attempting to pronounce his name, had said "Now there's a good Scotsman straight from the 'hee-lands' if I've ever heard one!" Mike was modest to say, however, he was among those on Juno Beach, June 6, 1946. From there, he moved on through with his platoon, escaping as a prisoner of war, and moving on through several miles - until August of 1946 when his platoon met its fate in Fallaise Gap - where Mike was wounded in an airstrike. After several years and several surgeries (England, Halifax and Winnipeg), Mike was asked what he would like to do for a career. He told the Armed Forces vocational counsellor that he wasn't sure what he wanted to do, but he did own a small Brownie camera. After returning home, Mike apprenticed as a photographer with Russell Studios in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. It was there where he met and worked with Verna Burkard, who eventually became his life-long partner. Mike and Verna married on August 18, 1956. Mike and Verna had four children - Rick, Jay, Suzanne and Tim. While Verna stayed home to raise their children, Mike moved over to work many years for CKOS-TV as a photographer and head of the Film Department. In addition to his life at the TV-Station, he spent many evenings, weekends and holidays as a photographer for weddings, anniversaries and family gatherings. Mike was most comfortable behind his camera and was rarely seen without at least one around his neck and one on his hip. He has had the opportunity to take pictures of Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and the famous photographer, Karsh. Mike loved family which is why he always went out of his way to take pictures for families during any special event. He especially loved engaging children and making them 'smile for the camera'. Mike also loved sports, gardening, reading and hanging out with his many friends - especially the "Alexandra Gang"! Right after work, Mike could be found in his garden or pruning the fruit trees. Between family, work and the neighborhood, there were many life-long friends, and this filled Mike's life. A quiet moment for the family would involve a drive in the country - usually to see the old family farmhouse, old churches and cemeteries, rolling countryside - and then to stop in and have a quick visit with family or friends! Mike and Verna retired and sold their family home to move closer to their children in Winnipeg. There, they once again could enjoy time with family, meet new friends, renew old acquaintances and explore new places. Mike continued with his life-long passion of photography, always having a camera on his hip and enjoying photographing nature and wildlife along the Sein River. Shortly after Verna passed away in 1992, Mike moved back to Yorkton for a few years where he spent time with old friends and new. His camera was still on his hip! He became an avid coin collector, enjoying the art on coins as he enjoyed art on film. In spring of 2006 … with his cameras in tow … moved to Cranbrook, British Columbia, to be closer to family. It was hard for Mike to leave his life and friends in Yorkton. However, his days were filled with spending time with his grandchildren, and of course, he also enjoyed meeting the grandchildren of his friends at Joseph Creek Village where Mike resided. For the short time that he was in Cranbrook, he got to enjoy many people and moments, and share many of his life's stories with family and friends. After a short struggle with cancer, Mike "took a drive in the country" on October 22, 2007. The Funeral service was held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 11:00 AM from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Faye Greer of Westview United Church officiating. The organist was Ruth McPhee accompanying soloist Sharon Coleman in the song "Danny Boy" and Hymns: "He" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness". The recessional Hymn "Amazing Grace" was played by Ruth McPhee. The Piper was Fern Katzberg. The reflections of Mike's life were given by his daughter Suzanne and son Rick with the poem "In Flander's Field" read by grandchildren Sean and Kelsey Thompson. The members of the Royal Canadian Legion General Alexander Ross Branch # 77 conducted the Legion Burial Rite with: Sergeant - at - arms Peter Wyatt, Padre', Faye Greer, Colour Party: Andy Juba, George Arnold, Russell Bischop, John Miller, Al Morley, Fred Hastie and the Act of Remembrance given by Joe Yurkoski. The interment followed in the Garden of St. John Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Mike's children: Rick, Jay, Tim Yakabowich and Suzanne Thompson serving as urn bearers. services directed by Bailey's Funeral Home Yorkton photo by Mike Yakabowich The family wishes to thank Drs. Brown and Joubert for their heartfelt care; the wonderful staff at the Cranbrook Regional Hospital; McPherson's Funeral Services; Bailey's Funeral Services; the caring and generous staff at Joseph Creek Village; and the many kind and caring people that have been a part of Mike's long and rich life. Should friends so wish, and in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or the East Kootenay Health Foundation would be appreciated. Service Information
Saturday, November 10th, 2007 11:00am, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre
Interment Details
Yorkton Memorial Gardens
Services for Mike Yakabowich
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