Obituary of John Yasensky

September 14, 1931 - January 23, 2009

It is with extreme sadness the Yasensky family announces the passing of John, age 77, on January 23, 2009. He passed peacefully with his family by his side. John was born in Barich, Alberta. He led an active and productive life starting when he left home before the age of 15 years. He worked as a milkman, then at Alldritt Construction, the Box Factory and McGavin's Bakery where he worked his way to the Floor Foreman position. He moved to the Coal Branch where he worked several positions including one as a coal miner. In 1955 he moved to Yellowknife, NWT and worked as a hard rock miner. He studied and became a Stationary Steam Engineer 1st Class Unlimited with Cominco.

He volunteered on many mine rescue teams as a member, captain and eventually a coach winning several trophies. He volunteered on the Yellowknife Cominco First Aid team and taught First Aid. He also was a Yellowknife Volunteer Firefighter. His other accomplishments included Maintenance Repairman for Sears, Eaton's and the Hudson's Bay Co. In 1973 he moved his family to Kimberley, BC and worked as a Stationary Steam Engineer for the Cominco Fertilizer Plant as a shift foreman. He retired in 1988. Throughout his life, John was always there to lend a helping hand to a friend or neighbour. John's many hobbies included the love of his life gardening, dancing, berry picking, hunting and fishing. In later years his fascination with wildlife encouraged many varied and rare species to seek his back yard.

John is survived by his wife Joyce whom he met in 1952 and courted on the Coal Branch. She followed him to Yellowknife where they married in 1955. He also leaves behind their two daughters: Deb (Morris) Kuefler and Gwen (Imad) Issawi; adopted son Dave Worley; and 9 grandchildren: Tim, Katrina, Neil, and Ryan Kuefler; Hamdi, Bilal and Amir Issawi; and Scott and Lianna Worley. John is also survived by four of his sisters: Mary Fedorovich, Olga (Ray) Hodge, Sophie Bottoms, and Jenny Thibault; and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends. He is predeceased by his son Gary (1956) twin of Deb; his parents Thomas and Annie; his brothers Victor, Tom, Nick, Mike and Peter Yasinsky, and his sisters Katie, Olga, Sophie, Rosie, Lil Yasinsky and Josie Gould.

An open celebration of John's life will take place at Centennial Centre, Kimberley BC at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 31, 2009. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of John may do so to the BC Wildlife Federation or the Canadian Diabetes Association.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sheffield, Dr. Bowden, Dr. Whitten and Dr. Simons and the nurses and staff of the 3rd Floor at East Kootenay Regional Hospital for their kind attention and care of John. A thank you is also extended to all the staff and nurses of the Peter Lougheed Hospital, Calgary, AB and Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home, Cranbrook, BC, for their care and attention over the last few years.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.Condolences for the family can be offered at:www.mcphersonfh.com